
THE FATE OF HUNDEEDS OF YOUNG MEN. 

L LEAVING HOME FOR NEW YORK. 2. IN A FASHIONABLE SALOON AMONGST 
THE WAITER GIRLS-THE ROAD TO RUIN. 3. DRINKING WITH "THE FANCY"- 
TN THE HANDS OF GAMBLERS. 4. MURDERED AND ROBBED BY HIS "FANCY" COM- 
PANIONS. 5. HIS BODY FOUND BY THE HARBOR POLICE. 






THE 



SEORETS 



OF 



THE GREAT CITY: 



A WORK DESCRIPTIVE 



VIRTUES AND THE VICES, THE MYSTERIES, 
MISERIES AND CRIMES 



NEW TOEK CITY. 

BY 

EDWARD WLNSLOW MARTIN. 

I 



Issued by subscription only, and not for sale in the book stores. Residents ot Jiny Stats desiring 
a copy should address the publishers, and an agent will call upon them. 



JONES, BROTHERS & CO., 

PHILADELPHIA, PA.; CINCINNATI, OHIO; CHICAGO, ILL.; 

ST. LOUIS, MO.; ATLANTA, GA. 



f 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 

JONES BROTHERS & CO., 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern 
District of Pennsylvania. 



PREFACE. 



New York is a great secret, not only to those who 
have never seen it, but to the majority of its own 
citizens. Few living in the great city have any idea 
of the terrible romance and the hard reality of the 
lives of two thirds of the inhabitants. The writer has 
seen more of this, perhaps, than falls to the lot of 
persons whose duty or curiosity does not lead them 
under the shadow of the darker sides of city life ; and 
he has thought it well to embody in book form the 
results of his own observation. At the same time, he 
has drawn freely upon the experience of those who 
have seen more than himself. 

This volume does not pretend to be a work of 
fiction. It is a simple narration of actual facts. It- 
is designed to warn the thousands who visit the city 

against the dangers and pitfalls into which their 

15 



16 PREFACE. 

curiosity or vice may lead them, and it is hoped that 

those who read the book will heed its warnings. The 

city is full of danger. The path of safety which is 

pointed out in these pages is the only one — a total 

avoidance of the vicinity of sin. No matter how 

clever a man may be in his own town or city, he is a 

child in the hands of the sharpers and villains of this 

community, and his only safety lies in avoiding them. 

His curiosity can be satisfied in these pages, and he can 

know the Great City from them, without incurring 

the danger attending an effort to see it. 

E. W. M. 

New York, Uth December, 1868. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I 
THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 

PAOK 

THE POPULATION 35 

CHAPTER II. 
THE STREETS OF NEW YORK. 

BROADWAY 4l 

THE BOWERY „ 47 

THE A7ENUES. 51 



CHAPTER III. 
THE CITY GOVERNMENT. 

POLITICAL BLACK MAIL 64 

THE RESULT 67 



CHAPTER IV. 
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE. 

THE NEW SYSTEM .69 

"KING KENNEDY." yf 

THE FORCE |4 

ON DUTY 73 

HEADQUARTERS 74 

THE TRIAL ROOM. : 75 

THE PROPERTY ROOM ; . .75 

MISCELLANEOUS. . . 76 

17 



18 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER V 
SOCIETY. 



WHO ARE THE FASHIONABLES. 
A DEFEAT AND A TRIUMPH. 
WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT. 
FASHIONABLE DISSIPATION. . 
EXTRAVAGANCE. 
A LADY'S GLOVE. 

MARRIAGES 

FASHIONABLE DEATH. . 

A ROMANCE OF FIFTH AVENUE. 

ETIQUETTE OF CARDS. . 

AN ECONOMICAL WEDDING. 

THE BEST SOCIETY. 



CHAPTER VI. 
THE TOMBS. 

"THE BUMMER'S CELL." S9 

THE TOMBS POLICE COURT I(i0 

A SAD CASE .101 

SAVED IN TIME 103 

RELIGIOUS SERVICES 106 



CHAPTER VII. 
REFORMATORY ESTABLISHMENTS. 

THE PENITENTIARY. 

THE HOUSE OF REFUGE 



CHAPTER VI II. 
LINES OF TRAVEL. 



THE STREET CA 
THE STAGER 
THE FERRIES. . 



CONTENTS. 



19 



CHAPTER IX. 
STREET MUSICIAN'S. 

PAGE 

THE ORGAN GRINDERS 124 ( 

THE WANDERING MINSTRELS. ... ... 126 

CHILD MINSTRELS . 126 

AN INCIDENT 129 

A SAD STORY. 130 

WHAT BECOMES OF THESE CHILDREN 134 



CHAPTER X. 
THE PRESS. 

THE MORNING PAPERS 135 

THE HERALD .130 

THE OTHER JOURNALS fc ' * ^ 

THE EVENING PAPERS. 138 

THE WEEKLIES 138 

THE RELIGIOUS PAPERS. . . . ' 13S 

PRINTING HOUSE SQUARE. 139 

A PRESS CURIOSITY 139 



CHAPTER XI 



WALL STREET. 



ITS HISTORY 


. „. . .141 


THE SUB-TREASURY 


140 


THE CUSTOM HOUSE 


. 144 


BANKING HOUSES. 


{ ... 144 


THE STOCK EXCHANGE 


.' 145 


THE OPEN BOARD. 


146 


THE GOLD ROOM 


. 14G 


CURBSTONE BROKERS 


14V 


STOCK GAMBLING 


. 14S 


A KEEN GAME 


14'.) 


A "DEAR" SALE 


Inil 


HOW FORTUNES ARE MADE AND LOST. . 


1JS1 


BOGUS STOCK COMPANIES. .... 


w 


A PETROLEUM PRINCE 


w 



20 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XII. 
BUSINESS IN NEW YORK. 

PAGE 

EXAMPLES 106 

REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS 166 



CHAPTER XIII . 
FASHIONABLE SHOPPING. 

STEWART'S 168 

LORD & TAYLOR'S. , . . 169 

ARNOLD & CONSTABLE'S.' 169 

INTERIOR OF A FIRST-CLASS STORE 169 



CHAPTER XIV. 
IMPOSTORS. 

A FOREIGN SWINDLER 172 

CHARITABLE IMPOSTORS 173 

OTIIER IMPOSTORS 174 

A FASHIONABLE IMPOSTOR. 174 



CHAPTER XV. 
SUNDAY IN NEW YORK. 

CHURCH GOING. . t76 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON 1T7 

THE EXCISE TRIALS. ....... . -. . .... .179 



CHAPTER XVI. 
THE DETECTIVES. 

BUSINESS OF (THE FORCE. ; . . . -SO 

A COSTLY CASE. . . J 1(J2 

TRACKING A MURDERER 183 



CONTENTS. 2] 

CHAPTER XVII. 
FIVE POINTS. 

PAGE 

THE POPULATION 100 

THE LITTLE THIEF 192 

THE HOME MISSION. 196 

OTHER MISSIONS 198 

THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS 199 



C HAPTER XVIII. 
HOTEL LIFE. 

THE GUESTS 201 

HOTEL SWINDLERS .202 

HOTEL THIEVES . .205 

AN AGILE THIEF. 203 



C HAPTER XIX. 
RESTAURANTS. 

■ .209 

CHAPTER XX. 
BOARDING HOUSES. 

FINDING A BOARDING HOUSE. 211 

EXPERIENCE 214 

BOARDING. HOUSE CHARACTERS. 215 

A FASHIONABLE SWINDLER 21S 

A SHARP GAME 215 

A TRIO OF FEMALE SWINDLERS 217 

CHAPTER XXI. 
TRINITY PARISH. 

TRINITY CHURCH ggg 

THE CHURCHYARD .223 



THE BITER BITTEN. 



22 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXII. 
THE HOLIDAYS IN THE CITY. 

PAOB 

NEW YEAR'S DAY 225 

GETTING READY 226 

NEW YEAR'S CALLS. 227 

THE NEXT DAY 229 

INDEPENDENCE DAY. 229 

EVACUATION DAY. 229 

THANKSGIVING DAY. 230 

CHRISTMAS DAY 280 



CHAPTER XXIII. 
THE CENTRAL PARK. 

A WONDERFUL WORK 233 

THE LAKE 234 

PLEASURE SEEKERS. 235 

THE ARSENAL 236 

THE CROTON RESERVOIRS. 237 

TRANSVERSE ROADS. ." 237 

THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN. 238 

INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION 238 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 241 



CHAPTER XXV. 
THE POOR OF NEW YORK. 

THE LOWEST DEPTHS. 245 

TENEMENT HOUSES. .... 246 

FALLEN FORTUNES 248 

THE ROMANCE OF A CHIGNON. . .... 248 



CONTENTS. 23 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
POOR GIRLS. 

PAQS 

THE SEWING GIRLS. 252 

A LIFE STRUGGLE. 254 

TTIE WORKSHOPS OF THE POOR GIRLS . 258 

TEMPTATIONS .259 



CHAPTER XXVII. 
THE STREET BOYS. 

THE NEWSBOYS 261 

NEWSBOYS' LODGING HOUSE. 263 

THE BOOTBLACKS 264 



CHAPTER XXVIII 
BEGGARS. 



BEGGARS. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
EMIGRANTS. 

THE BATTERY -.270 

CASTLE GARDEN. 271 

EMIGRANTS' REFUGE AND HOSPITAL. ...... 273 

PERILS OF EMIGRANTS. ....:•; 274 



CHAPTER XXX. 
THE BUMMERS. 

THE BUMMEi'.S ■ .276 



24 CONSENTS. 

CHAPTER XXXI. 
THE SOCIAL EVIL. 

PACKS 

FIRST-CLASS HOUSES 285 

SECOND-CLASS HOUSES 2S9 

WHERE THE UNFORTUNATES COME FROM 2S9 

A CASE IN POINT 290 

RECRUITS FROM NEW ENGLAND 291 

SAVED IN TIME 292 

THE SISTERS' ROW. 293 

THE ALBUM BUSINESS .294 

EFFORTS TO BREAK UP THESE HOUSES 295 

A NEW RUSE ADOPTED 295 

A SOILED DOTE. ... 296 

THE MIDNIGHT MISSION ' . . . . 299 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
ASSIGNATION HOUSES. 

ASSIGNATION HOUSES 300 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 
STREET WALKERS. 

BED HOUSES . .... 304 

TRAVELLING STREET WALKERS 305 

PANEL THIEVING. . . 300 

THE "HUSBAND GAME." .... ... 307 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 
CONCERT SALOONS. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
DANCE HOUSES. 



THE WAITER GIRLS. 



HOW THE LAW AIDS VICE. 
WHERE THE WOMEN COME FROM. 



CONTENTS. 25 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 
THE WICKEDEST MAN IN NEW YORK. 

PAGE 

THE WATER STREET REVIVAL. 333 

THE OTHER SIDE. . 3G5 

THE LAST OF THE WICKEBEST MAN .341 

THE RESULT 344 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 
CHEAP LODGING HOUSES. 

CHEAP LODGING HOUSES. .345 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
BLACK-MAILING. 

A MINISTER BLACK-MAILED 348 

A BRIDE IN THE TGSGSS, 353 

DESPERATE CHARACTERS. . ....... 354 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 
CHATHAM STREET. 

FORCED SALES. . , 357 



CHAPTER XL. 
THIEVES. f 

THE THIEF LANGUAGE 353 

PROFESSIONAL THIEVES. fc 359 

HOW FINE HOUSES ARE ROBBED 361 

A HAIR THIEF 302 

THE THIEVES' EXCHANGE • . . . , 3G3 



26 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XLI. 
PICKPOCKETS. 

PASB 

PICKPOCKETS. .366 



CHAPTER XLII. 
DRUNKENNESS. 

BUCKET HOUSES. . . . 



CHAPTER XLIII. 
GAMBLING HOUSES. 

FIRST-CLASS HOUSES .373 

JOHN MORRISSEVS HOUSE 374 

HOW THE VICTIMS ARE PROCURED. .... .377 

GAMING A NATIONAL PASSION 373 

THE GUESTS. 379 

A CARD TABLE ROMANCE. 382 

SECOND-CLASS HOUSES. ,385 

DAY GAMBLING HOUSES. . . 386 



CHAPTER X L I V . 
KIT BUPvNS'S. 

THE RAT PIT. . . 888 

THE DOG FIGHTS. .... .389 

THE REVIVALS AT KIT BURNS'S. . . 390 



CHAPTER X LV 

SAILORS' BOARDING HOUSES 
ABDINC UOUSES. 



CONTEXTS. 27 

CHAPTER XLVI. 
THE CHURCHES AND THE CLERGY. 

PAC.2 

SAINT ALBAX'S. . .399 

THE CLERGY 404 



CHAPTER XL VII. 
CEMETERIES. 

GREENWOOD 407 

THE EVERGREENS. 403 

CVPRESS HILLS 408 

WOODLAWX 40$ 



CHAPTER XLVI I I. 
THE BAR. 

THE BAR. 409 



CHAPTER XLIX. 
THE METROPOLITAN FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

HIE NEW SYSTEM 411 

TH3 FORCE. 412 

AT WORK. ... 413 



CH A PTER L. 
HARRY HILL'S. 

THE PROPRIETOR 416 

THE DANCE HALL .417 

THE DANCERS. 415 



28 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER LI. 
THE WICKEDEST WOMAN IN NEW YORK. 

PAGE 

A BALL AT THE WICKEDEST WOMAN'S 420 

HOW SHE CONDUCTS HER BUSINESS 429 

CHAPTER Lll. 
BABY FARMING. 

FEMALE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS. ...... 431 

A JUVENILE ESTABLISHMENT 434 

AN INCIDENT. 436 

A FASHIONABLE INNOCENT 437 

FACTS 437 

CHAPTER LIN. 
THE FIRST DIVISION, N. Y. NATIONAL GUARD. 

THE FIRST DIVISION, N. Y. NATIONAL GUARD. . . .439 



CHAPTER LIV. 
PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. 

PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. 441 

CHAPTER LV. 
FORTUNE TELLERS AND CLAIRVOYANTS. 

LOVE CHARMS. 446 

CHAPTER LVI, 
THE HARBOR. 

THE nARBOR POLICE. ... . 447 

THE RESCUE STATIONS. ..... 448 



CONTENTS. 29 

CHAPTER LVII. 
QUACK DOCTORS. 

PAGE 

PATENT MEDICINES. .453 

RETIRED PHYSICIANS. .454 



CHAPTER LVIM. 
THE EACES. 

THE RACES. ' T. .457 

CHAPTER LIX. 
MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENTS. 

A DANGEROUS PLEASURE. 459 

MATRIMONIAL BROKERS .462 



CHAPTER LX. 
PERSONALS. 

SERVED HIM RIGnT. : * . 464 

CHAPTER L X I . 
SOLDIER MINSTRELS. 

THE STORY OP A PATRIOT 470 



CHAPTER LXII. 
THE ABATTOIRS. 

THE ABATTOIRS » . 475 



CHAPTER LXIII. 
THE MORGUE. 

THE MORGUE 479 



30 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER LXIV. 
THE OLDEST MAN IN NEW YORK. 

PAGE 

THE OLDEST MAN IN NEW YORK 4S4 

CHAPTER LX V. 
DIVOECE LAWYERS. 

DIYORCE LAWYERS . 487 



CHAPTER LXVI. 
PAWNBROKERS. 

DIAMOND BROKERS. . 491 



CHAPTER LX VII. 
THE MARKETS. 

THE MARKETS. .494 



CHAPTER LXVIII. 
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

THE CITY HALL 496 

THE PARK BANK. 497 

THE ASTOR LIBRARY. . 497 

THE COOPER INSTITUTE 498 

THE BIBLE HOUSE. . 498 

THE ACADEMY OF DESIGN. . 499 



CHAPTER LXIX. 
THE POST OFFICE. 



THE POST OFFICE. 



CONTENTS. 31 

CHAPTER LXX. 
THE PATTERERS. 

PAGE 

THE PATTERERS 503 

CHAPTER LXXI. 
LOTTERIES. 

LOTTERIES M2 



CHAPTER LXXII. 
GIFT ENTERPRISES. 

THE SYSTEM 520 

THE BANKERS' AND BROKERS' GIFT ENTERPRISE 521 

A CLEVER SWINDLE. ....... . 525 

JEWELRY ASSOCIATIONS OR UNIONS 527 

DOLLAR STORES .530 



CHAPTER L X X I I I . 
SITUATION AGENCIES. 

SITUATION AGENCIES 531 



CHAPTER LXXIV. 
SWINDLERS IN GENERAL. 

THE PATENT SAFE GAME. 535 

POCKET-BOOK DROPPERS _. . . . . 536 

THIMBLE RIGGING 538 

SEWING MACHINE SWINDLES. 530 

THE POCKET TIME-KEEPER 540 

MOCK AUCTIONS _.. . 610 



32 CONTENTS- 

CHAPTER LXXV. 
LOST IN THE GREAT CITY. 

PAGE 

MISSING MEN AND WOMEN -544 

THEORIES ABOUT LOST PEOPLE 545 

WHERE AND HOW PEOPLE ARE LOST 545 

LOST CHILDREN 548 

THE DENS OF MIDNIGHT. 548 

THE HORROR OF A BREAKING DAWN 549 

MISERY, SHAME, AND DEATH 550 



CHAPTER LXXVI. 
CONCLUSION. . 

CONCLUSION 552 



THE 

SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 

The City of New York is the largest and most important, 
in America. Its corporate limits embrace the whole of Man- 
hattan Island, on which it is situated, and which is bounded 
by the Hudson, the East and Harlem rivers, and by Spuy- 
ten Duyvil creek, which last connects the Harlem with the 
Hudson. Being almost entirely surrounded by deep water, 
and lying within sight of the ocean, and only sixteen miles 
from it, the city is naturally the greatest commercial centre 
of the country. The extreme length of the island is fifteen 
miles, and its average breadth a mile and a half. The city 
lies at the head of New York Bay, which stretches away for 
miles until the Narrows, the main entrance to the harbor, are 
reached, presenting a panorama unsurpassed for natural and 
artificial beauty. The people of New York are very proud 
of their bay, and justly regard it as one of the most magnifi- 
cent in the world. 

The city was originally settled by the Dutch, toward the 
elose of the year 1614, and called by them New Amsterdam. 
2 33 



34 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

In 1664, it passed into the hands of the English, and was 
named New York, which name was also given to the whole 
province. The first settlement was made at the extreme 
lower part of the island, on the spot now known as the Bat- 
tery. A fort was erected, and the little hamlet surrounded 
by a strong stockade as a protection against the savages. 
The first settlers were eminently just in their dealings with 
the red men, and purchased the island from them, giving 
them what was considered by all parties a fair price for it. 
They felt sure that their new home was destined to become 
a place of importance in the course of time. Its commercial 
advantages were evident at a glance ; the climate was de- 
lightful, being neither so rigorous as that of the Eastern 
colonies, nor so enervating as that of the Southern. The 
hopes of the founders of New York are more than realized in 
the metropolis of to-day. 

The city grew very slowly at the beginning. In 1686, it 
was regularly incorporated by a charter. In 1693, the first 
printing press was set up in the city by William Bradford. 
In 1090, New York contained five hundred and ninety-four 
houses and six thousand inhabitants. In 1790, one hundred 
years later, the city had a population of thirty-three thousand. 
It was not until the beginning of the present century that it 
commenced that wonderful growth which has given it its 
present importance. At first it spread more rapidly on the 
east side than on the west. As late as the close of the Revo- 
lution, what is now Chambers street was the extreme upper 
limit, and its line was marked by a strong stockade, built 
across from river to river, with gates leading to the various 
country roads which traversed the upper part of the island. 

The City of New York now extends from the Battery to the 
Harlem river and Spujten Duyvil creek, and is built up with 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CTTY. 35 

great regularity as far as One-hundred and Thirtieth street. 
Harlem, Yorkville, Manhattanville, Bloomingdale, Carmans- 
ville, and Washington Heights or Fort Washington, were 
all originally separate villages, but are now parts of the 
great city. The island comes to a point at the Battery, and 
from this extremity stretches away northward like a fan. It 
attains its greatest width at Fourteenth and Eighty-seventh 
streets. Broadway is the longest street, running from the 
Battery to Spuyten Duyvil creek, a distance of fifteen miles. 
It is lighted with gas along the entire line. - Street railways 
and omnibus lines connect the various parts of the city, 
affording cheap and rapid transportation within its limits. 
Ferry boats ply constantly between the island and the 
neighboring shores, and railroads and steamboats connect it 
with all parts of the world. 

THE POPULATION. 

The population of New York is over one million of in- 
habitants._ This does not include the immense throng of 
visitors for business and pleasure. It is estimated that forty 
thousand of these arrive and depart daily. During times of 
more than ordinary interest — such as a national convention 
of some political party, the meeting of some great religious 
body, the world's fair, or some such special attraction — these 
arrivals are greatly increased. During the recent session of 
the Democratic National Convention, in July, 1868, the num- 
ber of strangers present in the city was estimated at two 
hundred thousand. The amount of money brought into the 
city by these strangers is astonishing. Millions are spent by 
them annually during their visits to the metropolis. 

The population is made up from every nation under Hea- 
ven. The natives are in the minority. The foreign element 



36 THE SECRETS OF TEE GREAT CITY. 

predominates. Irishmen, Germans, Jews, Turks, Greeks, 
Russians, Italians, Spaniards, Mexicans, Portuguese, Scotch, 
French, Chinese — in short, representatives of every nation- 
ality — abound. These frequently herd together, each class 
by itself, in distinct parts of the city, which they seem to re- 
gard as their own. 

Land is very scarce and valuable in New York, and thi-s 
fact compels the poorer classes to live in greater distress than 
in most cities of the world. The whole number of buildings 
in the city in 1860 was fifty-five thousand, which includes 
churches, stores, etc. In the same year the population was 
eight hundred and five thousand, or one hundred and sixty- 
one thousand families. Of these fifteen thousand only occu- 
pied entire houses ; nine thousand one hundred and twenty 
dwellings contained two families, and six thousand one hun- 
dred contained three families. As we shall have to recur to 
this subject again, we pass on now, merely remarking that' 
these " tenement sections" of the city, as they are called, are 
more crowded now than ever, the increase in buildings hav- 
ing fallen far behind the increase of the population in the last 
eight years. 

This mixed population makes New York a thorough cos- 
mopolitan city; yet at the same time it is eminently Ameri- 
can. Although the native New York element is small in 
numbers, its influence is very great. Besides this, numbers 
flock to the city from all parts of the Union, and this con- 
stant influx of fresh American vitality does much to keep the 
city true to the general character of the country. 

It has been well said, that "New York is the best place in 
the world to take the conceit out of a man." This is true. 
No matter how great or flattering is the local reputation of an 
individual, he finds upon reaching New York that he is en- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 37 

tirely unknown. He must at once set to work to build up a 
reputation here, where he will be taken for just what he is 
worth, and no more. The city is a great school for studying 
human nature, and its people are proficients in the art of dis- 
cerning character. 

In point of morality, the people of New York, in spite of 
all that has been said of them, compare favorably with those 
of any other city. If the darkest side of life is to be seen 
here, one may also witness the best. The greatest scoundrels 
and the purest Christians are to be found here. It is but na- 
tural that this, being the great centre of wealth, should also 
be the great centre of all that is good and beautiful in life. 
It is true that the Devil's work is done here on a gigantic 
scale, but the will of the Lord is done on an equally great, if 
not a greater, scale. In its charities New York stands at the 
head of American communities — the great heart of the city 
throbs warmly for suffering humanity. The municipal au- 
thorities expend annually seven hundred thousand dollars in 
public charities. The various religious denominations spend 
annually three millions more, and besides this the city is con- 
stantly sending out princely sums to relieve want and suffer- 
ing in all parts of our broad land. 

The people of New York are the most liberal of any in 
America in matters of opinion. Here, as a general rule, no 
man seeks to influence the belief of another, except so far as 
all men are privileged to do so. Every religious faith, every 
shade of political opinion, is tolerated and protected. Men 
concern themselves with their own affairs only. Indeed, this 
feeling is carried to such an extreme that it has engendered a 
decided indifference between man and man. People live for 
years as next door neighbors, without ever knowing each 
other by sight. A gentleman once happened to notice tly 



38 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

name of his next door neighbor on the door-plate. To his 
surprise he found it the same as his own. Accosting the 
owner of the door-plate one day, for the first time, he re- 
marked that it was singular that two people bearing the same 
name should live side by side for years without knowing each 
other. This remark led to mutual inquiries and statements, 
and to their surprise the two men found they were brothers — 
sons of the same parents. They had not met for many years, 
and for fully twelve years had lived side by side as neigh- 
bors, without knowing each other. This incident may be over- 
drawn, but it will illustrate a peculiar feature of New York 
life. 

Strangers coming to New York are struck with the fact 
that there are but two classes in the city — the poor and the 
rich. The middle class, which is so numerous in other cities, 
hardly exists at all here. The reason of this is plain to the 
initiated. Living in New York is so expensive that persons 
of moderate means reside in the suburbs, some of them as 
far as forty miles in the country. They come into the city, to 
their business, in crowds, between the hours of seven and 
niue in the morning, and literally pour out of it between four 
and seven in the evening. In fair weather the inconvenience 
of such a life is trifling, but in the winter it is absolutely 
fearful. A deep snow will sometimes obstruct the railroad 
tracks, and persons living outside of the city are either una- 
ble to leave New York, or are forced to spend the night on 
the cars. Again, the rivers will be so full of floating ice as 
to render it very dangerous, if not impossible, for the ferry 
boats to cross. At such times the railroad depots and ferry 
houses are crowded with persons anxiously awaiting trans- 
portation to their homes. The detention in New York, how- 
ever, is not the greatest inconvenince caused by such mishaps. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 39 

Many persons are frequently unable to reach the city, and 
thus lose several days from their business, at times when they 
can ill afford it. 

We have already referred to the scarcity of houses. The 
population of the city increases so rapidly that house-room 
cannot be provided for all. House rent is very high in New- 
York. A house for a family of six persons, in a moderately 
respectable neighborhood, will rent for from sixteen hundred 
to twenty-five hundred dollars, the rate increasing as the 
neighborhood improves. On the fashionable streets, houses 
rent for from six thousand to fifteen thousand dollars per an- 
num. These, it must be remembered, are palatial. Many 
persons owning these houses, live in Europe, or in other parts 
of the country, and pay all their expenses with the rent thus 
secured. 

In consequence of this scarcity of dwellings, and the enor- 
mous rents asked for them, few families have residences of 
their own. People of moderate means generally rent a house, 
and sub-let a part of it to another family, take boarders, or 
rent furnished or unfurnished rooms to lodgers. 

Furniture is expensive, and many persons prefer to rent 
furnished houses. These are always in demand, and in good 
localities command enormous prices. Heavy security has to 
be given by the lessee in such cases, as, without this, the 
tenant might make away with the furniture. Many persons 
owning houses for rent, furnish them at their own expense, 
and let them, the heavy rent soon paying a handsome profit 
on the furniture. 

Persons living in a rented house are constantly apprehen 
sive. Except in cases of long leases, no one knows how much 
his rent may be increased the next year. This causes a con- 
stant shifting of quarters, and is expensive and vexatious in 



40 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

the highest degree. It is partly due to the unsettled condi- 
tion of the currency, but mainly to the scarcity of houses. 

Many — indeed, the majority of the better class of inhabi- 
tants — prefer to board. Hotels and boarding houses pay well 
in New York. They are always full, and their prosperity has 
given rise to the remark that, "New York is a vast boarding 
house." We shall discuss this portion of our subject more 
fully in another chapter. 

To persons of means, New York offers more advantages as 
a place of residence than any city in the land. Its delightful 
climate, its cosmopolitan and metropolitan character, and the 
endless variety of its attractions, render it the most delightful 
home in America. That this is true is shown by the fact that 
few persons who have lived in New York for twelve months 
ever care to leave it. Even those who could do better else- 
where are powerless to resist its fascinations. 




BROADWAY, AS SEEV FHON, THE ST. NICHOLAS HOTEL. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE STREETS OF NEW YORK. 

The City of New York has been regularly laid out and 
surveyed for a distance of twelve miles from the Battery. It 
has over two hundred miles of paved streets. Most of the 
streets in the old Dutch city are crooked and narrow, but 
above that they are broader, and better laid off) ,and after 
passing Fulton street, they become quite regular. Above 
Fourteenth street, the city is laid off in regular squares. 
First street is located about a mile and four fifths above the 
Battery. From this the cross streets extend to Two hun- 
dred and twenty-eighth street. 

" The lengths of the blocks, between First and One-hun- 
dred and twenty-first streets, vary from one hundred and 
eighty-one to two hundred and eleven feet eleven inches. 

" Those between the avenues (which run at right angles 
to the streets), vary from four hundred and five to nine hun- 
dred and twenty feet. 

"The avenues are all one hundred feet wide, excepting 
Lexington and Madison, which are seventy-five, and Fourth 
Avenue, above Thirty-fourth street, which is one hundred 
and forty feet wide. 

" The numerical streets are all sixty feet wide, excepting 
Fourteenth, Twenty-third, Thirty-fourth, Forty-second, and 
eleven others, north of these, which are one hundred feet 
wide." 

There are twelve fine avenues at parallel distances apart 

41 



42 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

of about eight hundred feet. They begin about First or 
Fourth street, and run to the end of the island. Second and 
Eighth are the longest, and Fifth and Madison the moat 
fashionable. 

BROADWAY. 

The most wonderful street in the world is Broadway. It 
extends, as we have said, the whole length of the island. 
But its most attractive features are between the Bowling 
Green and Thirty -fourth street — the chief part of these being 
below Fourteenth street. The street is about sixty feet wide, 
and is thronged with vehicles of every description. Often 
times these vehicles crowd the streets to such an extent that 
they become "jammed," and the police are forced to interfere 
and compel the drivers to take the routes assigned them. 
The scene at such a time is thrilling. A stranger feels sure 
that the vehicles cannot be extricated without loss of life or 
limb to man or beast, and the shouts and oaths of the drivers 
fairly bewilder him. In a few moments, however, he sees a 
squad of policemen approach, and plunge boldly into the 
throng of vehicles. The shouts and oaths of the drivers 
cease, the vehicles move on, one at a time, according to the 
orders of the police, and soon the street is clear again, to be 
blocked, perhaps, in a similar manner, in less than an hour. 
Twenty thousand vehicles daily traverse this great thorough 
fare. 

It is always a difficult matter to cross Broadway in the 
busy season. Ladies, old persons, and children, find it im- 
possible to do so without the aid of the police, whose duty it 
is tomake a way for them through the crowds of vehicles. A 
bridge was erected at the corner of Broadway and Fultor 
street, which is the most crowded part of the city, for the 
purpose of allowing pedestrians to cross over the heads of 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 43 

the throng in the street. It proved a failure, however. Few 
persons used it, except to see from it the magnificent pano- 
rama of Broadway, and the city authorities have ordered it 
to be taken down. It disfigures the street very much, and 
its removal will be hailed with delight by the native popu- 
lation. 

Broadway properly begins at the Bowling Green. From 
this point it extends in a straight line to Fourteenth street 
and Union Square. Below Wall street, it is mainly devoted 
to the "Express" business, the headquarters and branch 
offices of nearly all the lines in the country centring here. 
Opposite Wall street, on the west side of Broadway, is Trinity 
Church and its grave-yard. From Wall street to Ann 
street, Insurance Companies, Eeal Estate Agents, Bankers 
and Brokers predominate. At the corner of Ann street, is the 
magnificent " Herald Office," adjoining which is the Park 
Bank," one of the grandest structures in the country. Oppo- 
site these are the Astor House and St. Paul's Church. Pass- 
ing the Astor House, the visitor finds the Park, containing 
the City Hall, on his right. Across the Park are Park Kow 
and Printing House Square, containing all the principal news- 
paper offices of the city. Old Tammany Hall once stood od 
this Square, but the site is now occupied by the " The Sun,'' 
and " Brick Pomeroy's Democrat " — Arcades Ambo. 

Beyond the City Hall, at the north-east corner of Cham- 
bers street and Broadway, is " Stewart's marble dry gooda 
palace," as it is called. This is the wholesale warehouse of 
A. T. Stewart & Co., and occupies the entire block. The 
retail department of this great firm, is higher up town. Pass- 
ing along, one sees, in glancing up and down the cross streets, 
long rows of marble and brown stone warehouses, stretching 
away for many blocks on either hand, and affording proof 



44 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

positive of the immensity and success of the business trans- 
acted in this locality. 

Opposite Pearl street is the New York Hospital, standing 
hack amidst its noble old trees; the yard is cut off from the 
street by an iron railing. Crossing Canal street, the widest 
and most conspicuous we have yet passed over, we see the 
handsome establishment of Lord & Taylor, rivals to Stewart, 
in the retail dry goods trade, on the corner of Grand street. 
The brown stone building opposite, is Brooks' clothing house, 
the largest and finest in the country. Between Broome and 
Spring streets, are the marble and brown stone buildings of 
the famous St. Nicholas Hotel. On the block above, and 
opposite, is Tiffany's, too well known to need a description. 
On the corner of Prince street, is Ball & Black's, a visit to 
which palace is worth a trip to the city. Diagonally oppo- 
site is the Metropolitan Hotel, in the rear of which is the 
theatre known as Niblo's Garden. Above this we pass the 
Olympic Theatre, the great Dollar store, the Southern Hotel, 
the New York Hotel, the New York Theatre, and Goupil's 
famous artjfc gallery. On the corner of Tenth street, is a 
magnificent iron building, painted white. This is Stewart's 
up town, or retail store. It is always filled with ladies 
"shopping," and the streets around it are blocked with 
carriages. Throngs of elegantly dressed ladies pass in and 
out, the whole scene being animated and interesting. Above 
this is Grace Church, one of the most beautiful religious 
structures in the city. On the corner of Thirteenth street, is 
Wallack's Theatre. At Fourteenth street, we find a hand- 
some square, formerly a fashionable place of residence, but 
now giving way to business houses and • hotels. This is 
Union Square. Passing around it, Broadway runs in a 
north-westerly direction, and at the intersection of the great 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 45 

thoroughfare with Fifth Avenue, at Twenty-third street, we 
see the magnificent front of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. On 
the block beyond are the Albemarle and Hoffman Houses, 
with the St. James a little above. Opposite are the Worth 
Monument and Madison Square. Above this are several 
minor hotels, and Wood's Theatre. The street is but littlo 
improved above Thirty-fourth street. 

Below Twenty-third street, and especially below Union 
Square, Broadway is built up magnificently. Marble, brown 
stone, and iron warehouses, extend in long rows on each side 
of the street. There are some old shanties still standing on 
the great thoroughfare, but they are rapidly disappearing, 
and in a few years will be entirely gone. The view from 
any point below Fourteenth street, ranges from Union 
Square to the Bowling Green, and is grand and exhilarating 
beyond description. The windows of the stores are filled 
with the gayest and most showy goods. Jewels, silks, satins, 
laces, ribbons, household goods, silver ware, toys, paintings; 
in short, rare, costly, and beautiful objects, greet the gazer on 
every hand. 

There are no railroad tracks on Broadway below Four- 
teenth street; the public travel is done by means of omnibus- 
ses, or stages, as they are called. Several hundred of these 
traverse the street from the lower ferries as far up as Twenty- 
third street, turning off at various points into the side streets 
and avenues. At night the many colored lamps of these 
vehicles add a striking and picturesque feature to the scene. 
They are filled with all sorts of people. 

The Broadway side walks are always crowded, and this; 
throng of passers-by is, to our mind, the most attractive fea- 
ture of the busy scene. Every class and shade of nationality 
and character is represented here. America, Europe, Asia, 



46 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Africa, and even Oceanica, has each its representatives here. 
High and low, rich and poor, pass along these side-walks, at 
a speed peculiar to New York, and positively bewildering to 
a stranger. No one seems to think of any person but himself, 
and each one jostles his neighbor or brushes by him with an 
indifference amusing to behold. Fine gentlemen in broad- 
cloth, ladies in silks and jewels, and beggars in squalidnesa 
and rags, are mingled here in true Eepublican confusion. 
The bustle and uproar are very great, generally making it 
impossible to converse in an ordinary tone. From early 
morning till near midnight this scene goes on. 

A gentleman from the remote interior, once put up at the 
St. Nicholas Hotel. He came to the City on urgent business, 
and told a friend who was with him, that he intended to 
start out early the next morning. This friend saw him, about 
noon the next day, waiting at the door of the St. Nicholas 
Hotel, surveying the passing crowd with an air of impatience. 

"Have you finished your business?" he asked. 

"No," said the gentleman, "I have not yet started out. 
I've been waiting here for three hours for this crowd to pass 
by, and I see no signs of it doing so." 

The friend, pitying him, put him in a stage, and started 
him off, telling him that crowd usually took twenty -four 
hours to pass that point. 

At night the scene changes. The crowd of vehicles on the 
street is not so dense, and the " foot passengers " are somewhat 
thinned out. The lower part of the city, which is devoted 
exclusively to business, is deserted. For blocks the only 
persons to be seen are the policemen on their beats. Above 
Canal street, however, all is life and bustle. The street is 
brilliantly lighted. The windows of the stores and restau- 
rants, and the lamps of the theatres and concert saluons, add 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 47 

greatly to the general illumination, while the long lines of 
the red, green, and blue lights of the stages, rising and falling 
with the motion of the vehicles, add a novelty and beauty 
to the picture. Strains of music or bursts of applause, float 
out on the night air from the places of amusement, not all 
of which are reputable. The street is full of all kinds of 
people, all of whom seem to be in high spirits, for Broadway 
is a sure cure for the " blues." One feature mars the scene. 
At every step, almost, one passes women and girls, and even 
mere children, seeking for company, and soliciting passers 
by with their looks and manner, and sometimes by open 
words. The police do not allow these women to stop and 
converse with men on the street, and when they find a com- 
panion, they dart with him down a side street. 

This goes on until midnight. Then the street gradually 
becomes deserted, and for a few hours silence reigns in Broad- 
way. 

THE BOWERY. 

Leaving the City Hall, and passing through Chatham street, 
one suddenly emerges from the dark, narrow lane, into a 
broad square, with streets leading from it to all parts of the 
city. It is not overclean, and has an air of sharpness and re- 
pulsiveness that at once attract attention. This is Chatham 
Square, the great promenade of that class generally known as 
" the fancy." 

At the upper end of the Square is a broad, well paved, 
flashy looking street, stretching away to the northward, 
crowded with street cars, vehicles of all kinds, and pedes- 
trians. This is the Bowery. It begins at Chatham Square, 
and extends as far as the Cooper Institute on Eighth street, 
where Third and Fourth Avenues, the first on the right hand, 
the other on the left, continue the thoroughfare to the Har- 
lem river. 



48 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

The Bowery first appears in the history of New York un- 
der the following circumstances. About 1642 or 1643, it was 
set apart by the Dutch as the residence of superanuated 
slaves, who, having served the Government faithfully from 
the earliest period of the settlement of the island, were at 
last allowed to devote their labors to the support of their de- 
pendent families, and were granted parcels of land embracing 
from eight to twenty acres each. The Dutch were influenced 
by other motives than charity in this matter. The district 
thus granted was well out of the limits of New Amsterdam, 
and they were anxious to make this negro settlement a sort 
of breakwater against the attacks of the Indians, who were 
beginning to be troublesome. At this time the Bowery was 
covered with a dense forest. A year or two later, farms were 
laid out along its extent. These were called "Boweries," 
from which the present street derives its name. Bowery No. 
I. was bought by Governor Stuyvesant. His house stood 
about where the present St. Mark's (Episcopal) Church is lo- 
cated. In 1660, or near about that year, a road or lane was 
laid off, through what are now Chatham street, Chatham 
Square, and the Bowery, to the farm of Governor Stuyvesant, 
beyond which there was no road. To this was given the dis- 
tinctive name of the "Bowery Lane." In 1783, the Bowery 
again came into prominent notice. On the 25th of Novem- 
ber of that year, the American army, under General Wash' 
ington, marched into the Bowery early in the morning, and 
remained until noon, when the British troops evacuated the 
city and its defences. This done, the Americans marched 
down the Bowery, through Chatham and Pearl streets, to the 
Battery, where they lowered the British flag, which had been 
left flying by the enemy, and hoisted the " Stars and Stripes" 
of the new Republic. 




Broauway, looking up from Exchange Place. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 49 

After the city began to extend up the island, the Bowery, 
which had been eminently respectable in its earlier history, 
lost caste. Decent people left it, and the poorer and mom 
disreputable classes took possession. Finally, it became no* 
torious. It was noted for its roughs, its rowdy firemen, its 
courtezans — in short, it was the paradise of the worst ele- 
ments of New York. The march of trade and improvement 
along the east side of the city has effected a partial reforma- 
tion, but still the Bowery is generally regarded as one of the 
doubtful localities of the city. 

The street runs parallel with Broadway, and is about a mile 
in length. It is much wider than the latter thoroughfare. It 
is tolerably well built up, and is improving in this respect 
every year. In connection with Chatham Square, it is the 
great route from the lower part of the island to the Harlem 
river on the east side. It is devoted principally to the cheap 
trade. The Jews abound here. The display of goods in the 
shops is attractive, but flashy. Few persons who have the 
means to buy elsewhere, care to purchase an article in the 
Bowery, as those familiar with it know there are but few re- 
liable dealers along the street. Strangers from the country, 
servant girls, and those who are forced to put up with an in- 
ferior article from the want of a few -dollars, and often a few 
cents, to buy a better one, trade here. As a general rule, the 
goods sold are of an inferior, and often worthless, quality, and 
the prices asked are high, though seemingly cheap. Large 
fortunes' are made by the Bowery merchants, who, with but 
few exceptions, are adepts in the art of swindling their cus- 
tomers. 

Pawnbrokers' shops, "Cheap Johns," second class hotels, 
dance t houses, fifth rate lodging houses, low class theatres, and 
concert saloons, abound in the lower part of the street. 
3 



50 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

The Sunday law, which seems to be so rigidly enforced in 
other parts of the city, is a dead letter in the Bowery. Here 
on Sunday, one may see shops of all kinds — the vilest espe- 
cially — open for trade. Cheap clothing-stores, etc., concert 
saloons, and the most infamous dens of vice, are in full blast. 
The street, and the cars traversing it, are thronged with the 
lower classes, in search of what they call enjoyment. At 
night all the places of amusement are open, and are crowded 
to excess. Boughs, thieves, fallen women, and even little 
children, throng them. Indeed, it is sad to see how many 
children are to be found in these vile places. The price of 
admission is low, and, strange as it may sound, almost any 
beggar can raise it. People have no idea how much of the 
charity they lavish on street beggars goes in this direction. 
The amusement afforded at these places ranges from indelicate 
hints and allusions to the grossest indecency. 

Another feature of the Bowery is the immense beer-gar- 
dens with which it abounds. We refer to those of the better 
class, which are patronized chiefly by the German element of 
the city. These are immense buildings, fitted up in imitation 
of a garden. Some are very handsomely frescoed, and other- 
wise adorned. They will accommodate from four hundred to 
twelve hundred guests. Germans carry their families there 
to spend a day, or an evening. Clubs, parties of friends, and 
public societies, often pay such visits to these places. Some 
carry their own provisions ; others purchase them from the 
proprietor. There is no admittance fee : the entrance is free. 
Beer and other liquids are served out at a small cost. Guests 
are coming and going all the time. Sometimes as many as 
five thousand people will visit one of these places in the 
course of an evening. The music is a great attraction to the 
Germans. It is exquisite in some places, especially in the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 51 

Atlantic Garden, which is situated in the Bowery, near Canal 
street. The profits are enormous; the proprietors frequently 
realize handsome fortunes in the course of a few years. Were 
these places all the Germans claim for them, they would be 
unobjectionable ; but there is no disguising the fact that they 
encourage excess in drinking, and offer every inducement for 
a systematic violation of the Sabbath. 

Besides these, there are saloons and gardens where none 
but the abandoned are to be seen. These will be noticed 
further on. 

Respectable people avoid the Bowery, as far as possible, at 
night ; but on Sunday night, few but those absolutely compelled 
to visit it, are to be seen within its limits. Every species of 
vice and crime is abroad at this time, watching for its victims. 
Those who do not wish to fall into trouble should keep out 
of the way. 

THE AVENUES. 

The Avenues of New York commence with First Avenue, 
which is the second east of the Bowery. They are numbered 
regularly to the westward until Twelfth Avenue is reached. 
This street forms the western shore of the island in the 
extreme upper part of New York. East of First Avenue, 
above Houston street, there are five short avenues, called A, 
B, C, D, E, — the first being the most westerly. There are 
also other shorter avenues in the city, viz. : Lexington, 
commencing at Fourteenth street, lying between Third and 
Fourth Avenues, and extending to Sixty-sixth street; and 
Madison, commencing at Twenty- third street, lying between 
Fourth and Fifth Avenues, and running to Eighty-sixth 
street. Second and Eighth are the longest. Third Avenue 
is the main street of the east side, above Eighth street. 
Eighth Avenue is the great thoroughfare on the west side. 



52 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Hudson street, of which Eighth Avenue is a continuation 
is rapidly becoming the West -side Bowery. Fifth and 
Madison are the most fashionable, and are magnificently built 
up with private residences, along almost their entire length. 
The cross streets connecting them, in the upper part of the 
city, are also handsomely laid off, and are filled with long 
rows of fine brown-stone and marble mansions. 

The streets of New York are well laid off, and are paved 
with an excellent quality of stone. The side- walks generally 
consist of immense stone " flags." In the lower part of the 
city, in the poorer and business sections, they are dirty, and 
always out of order. In the upper part they are clean, and 
are often kept so by private contributions. 

The avenues on the eastern and western extremities of 
the city are the abodes of poverty, want, and often of vice, 
hemming in the wealthy and cleanly sections on both sides. 
Poverty and wealth are close neighbors in New York. Only 
a block and a half back of the most sumptuous parts of 
Broadway and Fifth Avenue, want and suffering, vice and 
crime, hold their court. Fine ladies can look down from theii 
high casements upon the squalid dens of their unhappy 
Bisters. 




CITY HALL 



CHAPTER III. 

THE CITY GOVERNMENT. 

The City of New York is governed by a Mayor, a Board 
ot Aldermen and a Board of Common Councilman. The 
Mayor has been stripped by the Legislature of the State of 
almost every power or attribute of power, and is to-day 
merely an ornamental figure-head to the City government. 
The real power lies in the Boards named above, and in 
the various "Commissioners" appointed by the Legislature. 
These are the Commissioners in charge of the streets, the 
Croton Aqueduct, Public Charities and Corrections, the 
Police and Fire Departments. 

We do not seek to lay the blame for the mismanagement 
and infamy of the government of this City on any party or 
parties. It is a fact that affairs here are sadly mismanaged, 
whoever may be at fault. 

In place of any statements of out own concerning this 
branch of our subject, we ask the reader's attention to the fol- 
lowing extracts from a pamphlet recently published by Mr. 
James Parton. He says : 

"The twenty-four Councilmen who have provided them- 
selves with such ample assistance at such costly accommo- 
dation are mostly very young men, — the majority appear to be 
under thirty. Does the reader remember the pleasant de- 
scription given by Mr. Hawthorne of the sprightly young 
bar-keeper who rainbows the glittering drink so dexterously 
from one tumbler to another ? That sprightly young bar* 

53 



54 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

keeper might stand as the type of the young men composing 
this board. There are respectable men in the body. There 
are six who have never knowingly cast an improper vote. 
There is one respectable physician, three lawyers, te*n me- 
chanics, and only four who acknowledge to be dealers in 
liquors. But there is a certain air about most of these young 
Councilmen which, in the eyes of a New-Yorker, stamps them 
as belonging to what has been styled of late years "our 
ruling class," — butcher-boys who have got into politics, bar- 
keepers who have taken a leading part in primary ward 
meetings, and young fellows who hang about engine-houses 
and billiard-rooms. A stranger would naturally expect to 
find in such a board men who have shown ability and 
acquired distinction in private business. We say, again, 
that there are honest and estimable men in the body ; but we 
also assert, that there is not an individual in it who has at- 
tained any considerable rank in the vocation which he pro- 
fesses. If we were to print the list here, not a name would 
be generally recognized. Honest Christopher Pullman, for 
example, who leads the honest minority of six that vainly 
oppose every scheme of plunder, is a young man of twenty- 
seven, just beginning business as a cabinet maker. Honest 
William B. White, another of the six, is the manager of a 
printing office. Honest Stephen Roberts is a sturdy smith, 
who has a shop near a wharf for repairing the iron work of 
ships. Morris A. Tyng, another of the honest six, is a young 
lawyer getting into practice. We make no remark upon 
these facts, being only desirous to show the business standing 
of the men to whom the citizens of New York have confided 
the spending of sundry millions per annum. The majority 
of this board are about equal, in point of experience and 
ability, to the management of an oyster stand in a market. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 00 

Such expressions as 'them laws,' 'sot the table,' '71st rigi- 
ment,' and 'them arguments is played out,' may be heard on 
almost any Monday or Thursday afternoon, between two and 
three o'clock, in this sumptuous chamber. 

"But what most strikes and puzzles the stranger is the 
crowd of spectators outside the railing. It is the rogues' 
gallery come to life, with here and there an honest looking 
laborer wearing the garments of his calling. We attended 
six sessions of this 'honorable body,' and on every occasion 
there was the same kind of crowd looking on, who sat the 
session out. Frequently we observed looks and words of 
recognition pass between the members and this curious 
audience ; and, once, we saw a member gayly toss a paper of 
tobacco to one of them, who caught it with pleasing dexterity. 
We are unable to explain the regular presence of this great 
number of the unornamental portion of our fellow-beings, 
since we could never see any indications that any of the 
crowd had an interest in the proceedings. As the debates are 
never reported by any one of the seventeen reporters who are 
paid two hundred dollars a year for not doing it, and as the 
educated portion of the community never attend the sessions, 
this board sits, practically, with closed doors. Their schemes 
are both conceived and executed in secresy, though the door 
is open to all who wish to enter. This is the more surprising, 
because almost every session of the board furnishes the 
material for a report, which an able and public-spirited journ- 
alist would gladly buy at the highest price paid for such work 
in any city. 

"Debates is a ludicrous word to apply to the proceedings 
of the Councilmen. Most of the business done by them is 
pushed through without the slightest discussion, and is of 
such a nature that members cannot be prepared to discuss it 



56, THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

The most reckless haste marks every part of the pel formance. 
A member proposes that certain lots be provided with curb- 
stones ; another, that a free drinking hydrant be placed on a 
certain corner five miles up town ; and another, that certain 
blocks of a distant street be paved with Belgian pavement. 
Respecting the utility of these works, members generally 
know nothing and can say nothing; nor are they proper ob- 
jects of legislation. The resolutions are adopted, usually, with- 
out a word of explanation, and at a speed that must be seen 
to be appreciated. 

"At almost every session we witnessed scenes like the 
following: A member proposed to lease a certain building 
for a city court at two thousand dollars a year for ten years. 
Honest Christopher Pullman, a faithful and laborious public 
servant, objected on one or two grounds ; first, rents being 
unnaturally high, owing to several well known and tempo- 
rary causes, it would be unjust to the city to fix the rent at 
present rates for so long a period ; secondly, he had been him- 
self to see the building, had taken pains to inform himself as 
to its value, and was prepared to prove that twelve hundred 
dollars a year was a proper rent for it even at the inflated 
rates. He made this statement with excellent brevity, mod- 
eration, and good temper, and concluded by moving that the 
term be two instead of ten years. A robust young man, with 
a bull neck and of ungrammatical habits, said, in a tone of 
impatient disdain, that the landlord of the building had 
'refused' fifteen hundred dollars a year for it. ' Question P 
'Question !' shouted half a dozen angry voices, the question 
was instantly put, when a perfect war of noes voted down Mr. 
Pullman's amendment. Another hearty chorus of ayes con- 
summated the iniquity. Iu all such affairs, the visitor notices 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 57 

a kind of ungovernable propensity to vote for spending 
money, and a prompt disgust at any obstacle raised or objec- 
tion made. The bull-necked Councilman of uncertain gram- 
mar evidently felt that Mr. Pullman's modest interference on 
behalf of the tax-payer was a most gross impertinence. He 
felt himself an injured being, and his companions shared hia 
indignation. 

" We proceed to another and better specimen. A resolu- 
tion was introduced, appropriating four thousand dollars for 
the purpose of presenting stands of colors co five regiments 
of city militia, which were named, each stand to cost eight 
hundred dollars. Mr. Pullman, as usual, objected, and we 
beg the reader to mark his objections. He said that he was 
a member of the committee which had reported the reso- 
lution, but he had never heard of it till that moment ; the 
scheme had 'been 'sprung' upon him. The chairman of the 
committee replied to this, that, since the other regiments had 
had colors given them by the city, he did not suppose that any 
one could object to these remaining five receiving the same 
compliment, and therefore he had not thought it worth while 
to summon the gentleman. 'Besides,' said he, 'it is a small 
matter anyhow' ; — by which he evidently meant to intima..e 
that the objector was a very small person. To this last 
remark, a member replied, that he did not consider four 
thousand dollars so very small a matter. 'Anyhow,' he 
added, 'we oughter save the city every dollar we kin.' Mi. 
Pullman resumed. He stated that the Legislature of trie 
State, several months before, had voted a stand of colors to 
each infantry regiment in the State; that the distribution of 
these colors had already begun ; that the five regiments would 
soon receive them ; and that, consequently, there was no need 
of their having the colors which it was now proposed to give 



58 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

them. A member roughly replied, that the colors voted by 
the State Legislature were mere painted banners, ' of no 
account.' Mr. Pullman denied this. 'I am,' said he, 'captain 
in one of our city regiments. Two weeks ago we received 
our colors. I have seen, felt, examined, and marched under 
them ; and I can testify that they are of great beauty, and ex- 
cellent quality, made by Tiffany and Company, a firm of the 
first standing in the city.' He proceeded to describe the 
colors as being made of the best silk, and decorated in the 
most elegant manner. He further objected to the price pro- 
posed to be given for the colors. He declared that, from his 
connection with the militia, he had become acquainted with 
the value of such articles, and he could procure colors of the 
best kind ever used in the service for three hundred and sev- 
enty five dollars. The price named in the resolution was, 
therefore, most excessive. Upon this, another member rose 
and said, in a peculiarly offensive manner, that it would be 
two years before Tiffany and Company had made all the 
colors, and some of the regiments would have to wait all that 
time. 'The other regiments,' said he, 'have had colors pre- 
sented by the City, and I don't see why we should show par- 
tiality.' Whereupon Mr. Pullman informed the board that 
the City regiments would all be supplied in a few weeks; and, 
even if they did have to wait awhile, it was of no conse- 
quence, for they all had very good colors already. Honest 
Stephen Roberts then rose, and said that this was a subject 
with which he was not acquainted, but that if no one could 
refute what Mr. Pullman had said, he should be obliged to 
vote against the resolution. 

" Then there was a pause. The cry of ' Question !' was 
heard. The ayes and noes were called. The resolution was 
carried by eighteen to five. The learned suppose that one half 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 59 

of this stolen four thousand dollars was expended upon the 
colors, and the other half divided among about forty persons. 
It is conjectured that each member of the Councilmen's King, 
which consists of thirteen, received about forty dollars for his 
vote on this occasion. This sum, added to his pay, which is 
twenty dollars per session, made a tolerable afternoon's work. 

"Any one witnessing this scene would certainly have sup- 
posed that now the militia regiments of the City of New York 
were provided with colors. What was our surprise to hear, a 
few days after, a member gravely propose to appropriate eight 
hundred dollars for the purpose of presenting the Ninth .Regi- 
ment of New York Infantry with a stand of colors. Mr. 
Pullman repeated his objections, and recounted anew the 
generosity of the State Legislature. The eighteen, without a 
word of reply, voted for the grant as before. It u o chanced 
that, on our way up Broadway, an hour after, we met that 
very regiment marching down with its colors flying; and we 
observed that those colors were nearly new. Indeed, there is 
such a propensity in the public to present colors to popular 
regiments, that some of them have as many as five stands, of 
various degrees of splendor. There is nothing about which 
Councilmen need feel so little anxiety as a deficiency in the 
supply of regimental colors. When, at last, these extravagant 
banners voted by the Corporation are presented to the regi- 
ments, a new scene of plunder is exhibited. The officers of 
the favored regiment are invited to a room in the basement 
of the City Hall, where City officials assist them to consume 
three hundred dollars' worth of champagne,, sandwiches, and 
cold chicksn — paid for out of the City treasury — while the 
privates of the regiment await the return of their officers in 
the unshaded portion of the adjacent park. 

"It is a favorite trick with these Councilmen, as of all poli- 



60 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

ticians, to devise measures, the passage of which will gratify 
large bodies of voters. This is one of the advantages pro- 
posed to be gained by the presentation of colors to regiments; 
and the same system is pursued with regard to churches and 
societies. At every one of the six sessions of the Council- 
men which we attended, resolutions were introduced to give 
*vway the people's money to wealthy organizations. A church, 
for example, is assessed a thousand dollars for the construc- 
tion of a sewer, which enhances the value of the church prop- 
erty by at least the amount of the assessment. Straightway, 
a member from that neighborhood proposes to console the 
stricken church with a " donation" of a thousand dollars, to 
enable it to pay the assessment ; and as this is a proposition 
to vote money, it is carried as a matter of course. We select 
from our notes only one of these donating scenes. A mem- 
ber proposed to give two thousand dollars to a certain indus- 
trial school, — the favorite charity of the present time, to 
which all the benevolent most willingly subscribe. Vigilant 
Christopher Pullman reminded the board that it was now un- 
lawful for the Corporation to vote money for any object not 
specified in the tax levy as finally sanctioned by the Legis- 
lature. He read the section of the Act which forbade it. He 
further showed, from a statement by the Comptroller, that 
there was no money left at their disposal for any miscellaneous 
objects, since the appropriation for ' City contingencies' was 
exhausted. The only reply to his remarks, was the instant 
passage of the resolution by eighteen to five. By what arti- 
fice the law is likely to be evaded in such cases, we may show 
further on. In all probability, the industrial school, in the 
course of the year, will receive a fraction of this money — 
perhaps even so large a fraction as one half. It may be that, 
ere now, some obliging person about the City Hall has offered 



SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 61 

to buy the claim for a thousand dollars, and take the risk of 
the hocus-pocus necessary for getting it — which to him is no 
risk at all. 

11 It was proposed, on another occasion, to raise the fees of 
the Inspectors of weights and measures — who received fifty 
cents for inspecting a pair of platform scales, and smaller 
sums for scales and measures of less importance. Here was 
a subject upon which honest Stephen Roberts, whose shop is 
in a street where scales and measures abound, was entirely at 
home. He showed, in his sturdy and strenuous manner, that, 
at the rates then established, an active man could make two 
hundred dollars a day. ' Why,' said he, 'a man can inspect, and 
does inspect, fifty platform scales in an hour.' The cry of 'Ques- 
tion !' arose. The question was put, and the usual loud chorus 
of ayes followed. 

" As it requires a three-fourths vote to grant money — that 
is, eighteen members — it is sometimes impossible for the Ring 
to get that number together. There is a mode of preventing 
the absence, or the opposition of members, from defeating 
favorite schemes. It is by way of " reconsideration." The 
time was, when a measure distinctly voted down by a lawful 
majority, was dead. But, by this expedient, the voting down 
of a measure is only equivalent to its postponement to a more 
favorable occasion. The moment the chairman pronounces a 
resolution lost, the member who has it in charge moves a re- 
consideration ; and, as a reconsideration only requires the 
vote of a majority, this is invariably carried. By a rule of 
the Board, a reconsideration carries a measure over to a fu- 
ture meeting — to any future meeting which may afford a 
prospect of its passage. The member who is engineering it 
watches his chance, labors with faltering members out of 
doors, and, as often as he thinks he can carry it, calls it up 



62 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

again — until, at last, the requisite eighteen are obtained. It 
has frequently happened, that a member has kept a measure 
in a state of reconsideration for months at a time, waiting for 
the happy moment to arrive. There was a robust young 
Councilman, who had a benevolent project in charge of 
paying nine hundred dollars for a hackney-coach and two 
horses, which a drunken driver drove over the dock into 
the river, one cold night last winter. There was some disa- 
greement in the Ring on this measure, and the robust youth 
was compelled to move for many reconsiderations. So, also, it 
was long before the wires could be all arranged to admit of 
the appointment of a ' messenger ' to the City Librarian, who 
has perhaps less to do than any man in New York who is 
paid eighteen hundred dollars a year ; but perseverance meets 
its reward. We hear that this messenger is now smoking in 
the City Hall at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars. 

" There is a manoeuvre, also, for preventing the attendance 
of obnoxious, obstructive members, like the honest six, which 
is ingenious and effective. A 'special meeting' is called 
The law declares that notice of a special meeting must be left 
at the residence or the place of business of every member. 
Mr. Roberts's residence and Mr. Roberts's place of business 
are eight miles apart, and he leaves his home for the day be- 
fore nine in the morning. If Mr. Roberts's presence at a 
special meeting, at 2 P. M., is desired, the notice is left at hi3 
shop in the morning. If it is not desired, the notice is sent 
to his house in Harlem, after he has left it. Mr. Pullman, 
cabinet-maker, leaves his shop at noon, goes home to dinner, 
and returns soon after one. If his presence at the special 
meeting at 2 P. M. is desired, the notice is left at his house 
the evening before, or at his shop in the morning. If his 
presence is not desired, the notice is left at his shop a few 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 63 

minutes after twelve, or at his house a few minutes past one. 
In either case, he receives the notice too late to reach the City 
Hall in time. We were present in the Councilmen's Cham- 
ber when Mr. Pullman stated this inconvenience, assuming that 
it was accidental, and offered an amendment to the rule, requir- 
ing notice to be left five hours before the time named for the 
meeting. Mr. Eoberts also gave his experience in the matter 
of notices, and both gentlemen spoke with perfect moderation 
and good temper. We wish we could convey to our readers an 
idea of the brutal insolence with which Mr. Pullman, on this 
occasion, was snubbed and defrauded by a young bar-keeper 
who chanced to be in the chair. But this would be impos- 
sible without relating the scene at very great length. The 
amendment proposed was voted down, with that peculiar roar 
of noes which is always heard in that chamber when some 
honest man attempts to put an obstacle in the way of the free 
plunder of his fellow-citizens. 

• " These half-fledged legislators are acquainted with the de- 
vice known by the name of the 'previous question.' We 
witnessed a striking proof of this. One of the most audacious 
and insolent of the Eing introduced a resolution, vaguely 
worded, the object of which was to annul an old paving con- 
tract, that would not pay at the present cost of labor and 
materials, and to authorize a new contract at higher rates. 
Before the clerk had finished reading the resolution, honest 
Stephen Roberts sprang to his feet, and, unrolling a remon- 
strance with several yards of signatures appended to it, stood, 
with his eye upon the chairman, ready to present it the mo- 
ment the reading was concluded. This remonstrance, be it 
observed, was signed by a majority of the property-owners 
interested, the men who would be assessed to pay for one 
half of the proposed pavement. Fancy the impetuous Rob- 



64 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

erts, with the document held aloft, the yards of signatures 
streaming down to his feet and flowing far under his desk, 
awaiting the time when it would be in order for him to cry 
out, ' Mr. President.' The reading ceased. Two voices were 
heard, shouting 'Mr. President.' It was not to Mr. Eoberts 
that an impartial chairman could assign the floor. The mem- 
ber who introduced the resolution was the one who ' caught 
the speaker's eye,' and that member, forewarned of Mr. Rob- 
erts's intention, moved the previous question. It was in vain 
"that Mr. Roberts shouted 'Mr. President.' It was in vain that 
he fluttered and rattled his streaming ribbon of blotted pa- 
per. The President could not hear a word of any kind until 
a vote had been taken upon the question whether the main 
question should be now put. That question was carried in 
the affirmative, by a chorus of ayes, so exactly timed that it 
was like the voice of one man. Then the main question was 
put, and it was carried by another emphatic and simultane- 
ous shout." 

POLITICAL BLACK MAIL. 

Mr. Parton thus briefly exposes the system of political 
black mail practiced in the City government : 

" The plunder of the persons who are so unfortunate as to 
serve the public, and of those who aspire to serve the public, 
is systematic, and nearly universal. Our inquiries into this 
branch of the subject lead us to conclude that there are very 
few salaries paid from the city or county treasury which do 
not yield an annual per centage to some one cf the ' head- 
centres ' of corruption. The manner in which this kind of 
spoliation is sometimes effected may be gathered from a narra- 
tive which we received from the lips of one of the few learned 
and estimable men whom the system of electing judges by 
the people has left upon the bench in the City of New York. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 65 

Four years ago, when the inflation of the currency had so 
enhanced the price of all commodities that there was, of neces- 
sity, a general increase of salaries, public and private, there 
was talk of raising the salaries of the fourteen judges, who 
were most absurdly underpaid even when a dollar in paper 
and a dollar in gold were the same thing. Some of the judges 
were severely pinched in attempting to make six thousand 
half-dollars do the work which six thousand whole ones 
had accomplished with difficulty; and none, perhaps, more 
severely than the excellent and hospitable judge whose expe- 
rience we are about to relate. A person known by him to be 
in the confidence of leading men about the City Hall called 
upon him one day, and informed him that it was in contem- 
plation to raise the salaries of all the judges §2,000 per 
annum. The judge observed that he was much relieved to 
hear it, for he had gone so deeply into the Sanitary Commis- 
sion and other projects for promoting the war, and had made 
so many expensive journeys to Washington in furtherance of 
such projects, that he did not see how he could get through 
the year if the inflation continued. 'Well, judge,' said the 
person, ' if the judges are disposed to be reasonable, the tning 
can be done.' ■ ' What do you mean by reasonable? 1 asked the 
judge. The reply was brief and to the point: ' Twenty -five 
per cent, of the increase for one year.' The judge said No. 
If his salary could not be raised without that, he must rub 
on, as best he could, on his present income. The person 
was evidently much surprised, and said : 'lam sorry you 
have such old-fashioned notions. Why, judge, everybody 
does it here.' Nothing more was heard of increasing the 
judges' salaries for a whole year, during which the inflation 
itself had become inflated, and every door-keeper and copyist 
had had his stipend increased. At length, the spoilers 



66 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

deemed it best, for purposes of their own, to consent that 
the salaries of the judges should be increased $1,000; and, 
a year after that, the other $1,000 was permitted to be 
added. 

"It was recently proved, in the presence of the Governor 
of the State, that the appointment of the office of Corporation 
Attorney was sold to one incumbent for the round sum of 
$10,000. This is bad enough, but worse remains to be told 
Sworn testimony, from thirty-six witnesses, taken by a com- 
mittee of investigation, establishes the appalling fact, that 
appointments to places in the public schools are systematically 
sold in some of the wards — the wards where the public 
schools are almost the sole civilizing power, and where it is of 
unspeakable importance that the schools should be in the 
hands of the best men and women. One young lady, who had 
just buried her father and had a helpless mother to support, 
applied for a situation as teacher, and was told, as usual, that 
she must pay for it. She replied that she could not raise the 
sum demanded, the funeral expenses having exhausted the 
family store. She was then informed that she could pay ' the 
tax' in instalments. Another poor girl came on the witness- 
stand on crutches, and testified that she had paid $75 for a 
situation of $300 a year. Another lady went to a member of 
the Ring, and told him, with tears, that she saw no way of 
procuring the sum required, nor even of saving it from the 
slender salary of the place. The man was moved by her 
anguish, took compassion upon her, and said he would remit 
his share of ' the tax.' It was shown, too, that the agent of all 
this foul iniquity was no other than the principal of one 
of the schools. It was he who received and paid over the 
money wrung from the terror and necessities of underpaid 
and overworked teachers. We learn from the report of the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 67 

committee that the Eing in this ward was originally formed 
for the express purpose of giving the situations in a new and 
handsome school ' to the highest bidder ' ; and, as the opening 
of the new school involved the discharge of a small number 
of teachers employed in the old schools, the Eing had both 
the fear and the ambition of the teachers to work upon. 
' There was a perfect reign of terror in the ward,' says the 
report of the investigating committee. ' The agent performed 
his duty with alacrity and with a heartlessness worthy of the 
employers. It appears that he not only summoned the 
teachers to come to him, but that he called on their parents 
and friends as to the amount they should pay for their ap- 
pointments — the sums varying from $50 to $600, according 
to the position sought.' 

"And who were the Eing that perpetrated this infamy? 
They were a majority of the trustees elected by the people, 
and the School Commissioner elected by the people — six 
poor creatures, selected from the grog-shop and the wharf) 
and intrusted with the most sacred interest of a republic, the 
education of its children." 

THE RESULT. 
"The result of all this plunder," continues Mr. Parton, "is, 
that in thirty-six years the rate of taxation in the city and 
county of New York has increased from two dollars and a 
half to forty dollars per inhabitant ! In 1830, the city was 
governed for half a million dollars. In 1865, the entire 
government of the island, including assessments on private 
property for public improvements, cost more than forty mil- 
lions of dollars. In 1830, the population of the city was a 
little more than two hundred thousand. It is now about one 
million. Thus, while the population of the county is five 
times greater than it was in 1830, the cost of governing it is 



68 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

sixteen times greater. And yet such is the value of the 
productive property owned by the city, — so numerous are the 
sources of revenue from that property, — that able men of 
business are of the deliberate opinion that a private company 
could govern, clean, sprinkle, and teach the City by contract, 
taking as compensation only the fair revenue to be derived 
from its property. Take one item as an illustration : under 
the old excise system, the liquor licenses yielded twelve thou- 
sand dollars per annum; under the new, they yield one million 
and a quarter. Take another : the corporation own more than 
twenty miles of wharves and water-front, the revenue from 
which does not keep the wharves in repair ; under a proper 
system, they would yield a million dollars above the cost of 
repairs. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE METROPOLITAN POLICE. 

The Metropolitan Police are justly the pride of New York, 
for the City is chiefly indebted to the force for its quiet and 
security. The old police system needs no description here. 
It was a failure in ever}' respect. It failed to protect either 
life or property. Criminals performed their exploits with 
impunity, and were either encouraged or aided by the police 
in many instances. The members of the old force were too 
often taken from the ranks of the criminal classes, and made 
to serve the ends of unprincipled politicians. Finally the 
sj^stem became so worthless and corrupt that the best men of 
the City and State, without distinction of party, resolved to 
take the control of the police out of the hands of the Mayor 
and Council, and place them under the direction of a Com- 
missioner appointed by the Legislature. 

THE NEW SYSTEM. 

The resolution to make the police independent of the poli- 
ticians in the City government, was the last resort left to the 
better class of citizens, and the Legislature, appreciating the 
necessity for prompt action, at once complied with the demand ' 
made for a change. A "Metropolitan District," consisting 
of the cities of New York and Brooklyn, the counties of New 
York, Kings, Richmond, and Westchester, and a part of 
Queens county, embracing a circuit of about thirty miles, 
was created by law. The control of this district was given to a 

69 



70 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

commission of fire citizens, subject to the supervision of the 
Legislature. The Mayors of New York and Brooklyn were 
made ex-officio members of this board. 

Mr. Wood, who was Mayor of New York at the time of the 
passage of this law, resolved to resist it, and to continue the 
old police in power. His conduct came near creating a terri- 
ble riot, but he was at length induced to submit to the law. 

The new system worked badly for some years, owing to the 
incompetency of the persons appointed as superintendent; 
but in 1860 a change was made. Mr. John A. Kennedy was 
appointed Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, and the 
number of the commissioners was cut down to three. The 
Jaw was remodeled, and besides other important changes, the 
duties of each member of the force were clearly defined. 

The new superintendent set to work with a will, and it was 
not long before the benefits of his administration became 
manifest. He had been informed that the force was almost 
as incompetent and inefficient as its old time predecessor, and 
he resolved to stop this. He caused the creation of the grade 
of inspector, and the appointment of energetic and reliable 
men. These inspectors are required to keep a constant 
watch over the rank and file of the force. They report every 
breach of discipline, examine the station houses and every 
thing connected with them, at pleasure. No member or 
officer of the force has the right to refuse to allow such ex- 
amination or to refuse to answer any question put to him 
concerning his duty. The effect of this new rank was most 
happy. The men became conscious that the eyes of their 
superiors were on them at all times, and that the slightest 
breach of discipline on their part was sure to be detected and 
reported. The force became attentive and efficient, as if by 
magic. Incompetent and insubordinate members were thrown 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 71 

out, and good men put in their places. Matters continued 
to improve, until now, after a lapse of nearly eight years, the 
city has the best police force in the world. 

" KING KENNEDY." 

Mr. Kennedy is not a popular man in New York. To say 
that he has made mistakes in his present position, is but to say 
he is human. He has had a hard task before him, but he has 
succeeded in accomplishing it. He has given order, security, 
and a sense of security to the city, and it is not strange that 
in so doing he has made numerous enemies. He has often 
exceeded his power, and has committed acts that smack 
strongly of petty tyranny ; but there can be no doubt of the 
fact that he has earnestly and faithfully labored for the ^ause 
of law and order. He makes the best chief of police this 
country has ever seen, and when he is gone, his place will be 
hard to fill. 

Mr. Kennedy has Scotch-Irish blood in his veins, which 
may be the reason of his success. He is small in size, and 
quiet and unobtrusive in his demeanor. He has executive 
ability of a high order, but inclines rather strongly to the 
■eide of arbitrary power, which trait has earned him, amongst 
the masses, the title of " King Kennedy." He has infused 
his energy into the force, and is entitled to the greater part, 
if not all of the credit for the success of the new system. 

THE FORCE. 

The police force on duty in the city, consists of one super 
intendent, four inspectors, thirty-four captains, one hundred 
and thirty-one sergeants, one thousand eight hundred and 
six patrolmen, sixty-nine doormen, and fifty special police- 
men, making a total of two thousand and ninety-five officers 



72 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

and men. The men are clothed in a neat uniform of dark 
blue cloth, with caps of hard polished leather. They are 
armed with clubs and revolvers, and are regularly drilled in 
military tactics. In case of a riot, this enables them to act 
together, and with greater efficiency against a mob. The 
most rigid discipline prevails, and the slightest error on the 
part of officers or men is reported at headquarters. 

There are thirty-three precincts, including the detective 
squad. The force is charged with the duty of guarding about 
three hundred day and four hundred night posts, about four 
hundred and twenty-five miles of streets in the patrol dis- 
tricts, and fourteen miles of piers. There are twenty- five sta- 
tion houses fitted up as lodging rooms for the men, and hav- 
ing room also for accommodating wandering or destitute per- 
sons, large numbers of whom thus receive temporary shelter. 

During the year ending October 31, 1865, (which may be 
taken as a fair specimen of the work of the force,) 68,873 
arrests were made. Of these 48,754 were males, 20,119 fe- 
males; 53,911 arrests were for offences against the person; 
14,962, for offences against property. The following table 
will show the status of New York criminal society. 

Total 

Charge. Males. Females. Arrests. 

Assault and battery, 6,077 .. 1,667 .. 7,744 

Assault with intent to kill, 197 ... 1 .. 198 

Attempt at rape, 40 . . ■ . . 40 

Abortion, 2 .. 2 .. 4 

Bastardy, „ 141 ... . . 141 

Bigamy 14 . . 5 .. 19 

Disorderly conduct, 8,542 .. 5,412 ..13,050 

Intoxication...... 11,482 .. 4,936 ..16,418 

Juvenile delinquents, 154 .. 25 .. 179 

Kidnapping, 20 .. 5 .. 25 

Suspicious persons, 1,617 .. 440 . 2,057 





Total 


Female s. 


Arrests. 


838 . 


. 1,816 


. 


35 


9 . 


. 245 


3 . 


. 294 


3 . 


154 


17 . 


121 


946 . 


2,621 


o 


252 


6 . 


205 


165 . 


342 


20 . 


275 


1,86a . 


5,240 


46 . 


460 


51 . 


217 


3 .. 


8 


20 .. 


203 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 73 

Cliario. Males. 

Vagrancy, 978 

Arson, 35 

Attempts to steal, 236 

Burglary 291 

Forgery, 1 5 L 

Fraud, 104 

Grand Larceny, 1,675 

( ; ambling, . . . '. 249 

Highway robbery, 199 

Keeping disorderly house, 177 

Picking pockets 225 

Petit larceny 3,380 

Passing counterfeit money, 414 

Receiving stolen goods, 166 

Swindling, 5 

Violations of the Sunday laws, 183 

ON DUTY. 

The police are mustered at a certain hour in the morning 
by their officers, and are marched from the station house to 
their " beats." The day patrol is relieved by that appointed 
for night duty. The men are required to be neat in their 
persons and dress, and to be polite and respectful to citizens. 
They are required to give information to strangers and citi- 
zens concerning localities, etc., and to render prompt assist- 
ance in suppressing any kind of violence or disorder. They 
are instructed to direct persons not to lounge or loiter on the 
main thoroughfares, which are always too much crowded to 
permit such obstructions. Details are made for places of 
amusement and public resort. If the patrolman on dutv at 
one of these places sees a known thief or pickpocket enter, 
he orders him to leave the premises. If the fellow refuses to 
obey, he is arrested and locked up in the station house for 



74 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

the night. By this means respectable persons, at public 
resorts, are saved heavy losses at the hands of the "light- 
fingered gentry." 

The largest and finest looking men are detailed for the 
Broadway Squad. The duties of this Squad are heavy, and 
often require not only considerable patience, but great physical 
endurance. 

HEADQUARTERS. 

The Police Headquarters of the Metropolitan District are 
located in a handsome marble building, five stories high, 
situated on Mulberry Street, between Houston and Bleecker 
Streets. The building is fitted up with great taste for the 
express accommodation of the business of the force. The 
greatest order prevails. Every thing is in its place, and every 
man in his. There is no confusion. Each department has 
its separate room. 

The Superintendent's office is connected by telegraph with 
every precinct in the entire district. By means of this won- 
derful invention a few seconds only are required to dispatch 
the orders of " King Kennedy " to any part of the district- 
News of a robbery and description of the burglar are flashed 
all over the city and adjoining country before the man has 
fairly secured his plunder. If a child is lost a description is 
sent in the same way to each precinct, and in a marvellously 
quick time the little one is restored to its mother's arms. By 
means of his little instrument, " King Kennedy " can track a 
criminal not only all over his own district, but all over the 
Union. He is firm in the exercise of his authority — often 
narsh and too impulsive, but on the whole as just as human 
nature will allow a man to be. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 75 

THE TRIAL ROOM. 

One of the most interesting rooms in the headquarters is 
that for the trial of complaints against members of the force. 
Every sworn charge is brought before Commissioner Acton, 
who notifies the accused to appear before him to answer to it. 
Except in very grave cases, the men employ no counsel. The 
charge is read, the Commissioner hears the statements of the 
accused, and the evidence on both sides, and renders his de- 
cision, which must be ratified by the full " Board." The ma- 
jority of the charges are for breaches of discipline. A patrol- 
man leaves his beat for a cup of coffee on a cold morning, or 
night, or reads a newspaper, or smokes, or stops to converse 
while on duty. The punisment for these offences is a stoppage 
of pay for a day or two. First offences are usually forgiven. 
Many well-meaning but officious citizens enter complaints 
against the men. They are generally frivolous, but are heard 
patiently, and are dismissed with a warning to the accused to 
avoid giving cause for complaint. Thieves and disreputable 
characters sometimes enter complaints against the men, with 
the hope of getting them into trouble. The Commissioner's 
experience enables him to settle these cases at once, generally 
to the dismay and grief of the accuser. Any real offence on 
the part of the men is punished promptly and severely, but 
the Commissioners endeavor by every means to protect them 
in the discharge of their duty, and against impositions of any 
kind. 

Another room in the headquarters is called 

THE PROPERTY ROOM. 

This is a genuine " curiosity shop." It is filled 'with un- 
claimed property of every description, found by or delivered 
to the police, by other parties finding the same, or taken from 



76 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

criminals at the time of their arrest. The room is in charge 
of a property clerk, who enters each article, and the facta 
connected with it, in a book kept for that purpose. Property 
once placed in this room is not allowed to be taken away, ex- 
cept upon certain specified conditions. Unclaimed articles 
are sold, after being kept a certain length of time, and the 
proceeds are paid to the Police Life Insurance Fund. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

"When a man applies for a position in the police force, he 
has to show proofs of his good character and capacity before 
he can be employed. As soon as he is appointed, he is pro- 
vided with a uniform, assigned to a precinct, and put on duty. 
For one month after his appointment he is required to study 
the book of laws for the government of the force, and to be 
examined daily in these studies by Inspector James Leonard* 
who is in charge of the " Class of Instruction." These ex- 
aminations are continued until the recruit is found proficient 
in the theoretical knowledge of his duties. 

The following extract from / the Metropolitan Police Law 
will show the care taken of the men : — 

" If any member of the Metropolitan Police Force, whilst 
in the actual performance of duty, shall become permanently 
disabled, so as to render his dismissal from membership pro- 
per, or if any such member shall become superanuated after 
a ten years' membership, a sum of not exceeding one hundred 
and fifty dollars, as an annuity, to be paid such member, shall 
become chargeable upon the Metropolitan Police Life Insur- 
ance Fund. If any member of the Metropolitan Police Force 
whilst in the actual discharge of his duty, shall be killed, or 
shall die from the immediate effect of any injury received by 
him, whilst in such discharge of duty, or shall die after ten 



THE SECRETS OF THE GEEAT CITY. 77 

years' service in the force, and shall leave a widow, and if no 
widow, any child or children under the age of sixteen years, 
a like sum, by way of annuity, shall become chargeable upon 
the said fund, to be paid such widow so long only as she re- 
mains unmarried, or to such child or children so long as said 
child, or the youngest of said children, continues under the 
age of sixteen years." 

We do not claim, in what we have written, that the police 
of this city are perfect, but we do maintain that they are bet- 
ter than those of any other American city. 



CHAPTER V. 

SOCIETY. 

In New York, poverty is a great crime, and the chief effort 
of every man and woman's life, is to secure wealth. Society 
in this city is much like that of other large American cities, 
except? that money is the chief requisite here. In other 
cities poor men, who can boast of being members of a family 
which commands respect for its talents or other good quali- 
ties, or who have merit of their own, are welcomed into what 
are called " select circles " with as much warmth as though 
they were millionaires. In New York, however, men and 
women are judged by their bank accounts. The most illiter- 
ate boor, the most unprincipled knave, finds every fashionable 
door open to him without reserve, while St. Peter himself, if 
he came " without purse or scrip," would see it closed in hi3 
face. Money makes up for every deficiency in morals, in- 
tellect, or demeanor. 

Nor is this strange. The majority of fashionable people 
have never known any of the arts and refinements of civiliza- 
tion except those which mere wealth can purchase. Money 
raised them from the dregs of life, and they are firm believ- 
ers in it. "Without education, without social polish, they see 
themselves courted and fawned upon for their wealth, and 
they naturally suppose that there is nothing else " good 
under the sun." 

WHO AEE THE FASHIONABLES. 

The majority of the dwellers in the palaces of the great 

78 






THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 79 

city, are persons who have risen from the ranks. This is 
not said to their discredit. On the contrary, every intelli 
gent person takes pride in the fact that in this country it is 
in the power of any one to rise as high as his abilities will 
carry him. The persons to whom we refer, however, affect 
to despise this. They take no pride in the institutions which 
have been so beneficial to them, but look down with supreme 
disdain upon those who are working their way up. They 
are ashamed of their origin, and you cannot offend one of 
them more than to hint that you knew him a few years ago 
as a mechanic, or shop-keeper. 

Some of the "fashionables" appear very suddenly before 
the world. A week ago, a family may have been living in a 
tenement house. A sudden fortunate speculation on the 
part of the husband, or father, may have brought them enor- 
mous wealth in the course of a few days. A change is in- 
stantly made from the tenement house to a mansion on Fifth 
or Madison Avenue. The newly acquired wealth is liberally 
expended in "fitting up," and the lucky owners of it sud- 
denly burst upon the world of fashion as stars of the first 
magnitude. They are courted by all, and invitations to the 
houses of other "stars" are showered upon them. They 
may be rude, ignorant, uncouth in their manners, but they 
have wealth, and that is all New York society requires 
They are lucky if they retain their positions very long. A 
few manage to hold on to the wealth which comes to them 
thus suddenly, but as a general rule those who are simply 
" lucky " at the outset find Dame Fortune a very capricious 
goddess, and at the next turn of her wheel, pass off the stage 
to make room for others who are soon to share their fate. 

This element is known in the city as " The Shoddy Society." 
During the time of the oil speculations, many persons were 



80 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

suddenly and unexpectedly made ricli by lucky ventures in 
petroleum lands and stocks, and the shoddy element was in 
its glory ; but now other speculations are found to recruit 
the ranks of this class. Wall street is constantly sending 
fresh "stars" to blaze on Fifth Avenue, and ruthlessly sweep- 
ing away others to make room for them. 

The "Shoddy" element is by no means confined to those 
who make fortunes rapidly, or by speculations. There are 
many who rise very slowly in the world, and who when 
blessed with fortune throw themselves headlong into the 
arms of " Shoddy." 

It is not difficult to recognize these persons. They dress 
not only handsomely, but magnificently. Indeed they make 
up in display what they lack in taste. They cover them- 
selves with jewels, and their diamonds, worn on ordinary 
occasions, might, in some cases, fairly rival the state gems of 
European potentates. Their red, hard hands, coarse faces, 
vulgar manners, and loud, rude voices, contrast strikingly 
with the splendor with which they surround themselves. 
They wear their honors uneasily, showing plainly how little 
accustomed they are to such things. They look down with 
disdain upon all less fortunate in wealth than themselves, 
and worship as demi-gods those whose bank account is larger 
than their own. They have little or no personal dignity, 
but substitute a supercilious hauteur for it. 

A DEFEAT AND A TRIUMPH. 

The following incident will show how money is worshipped 
in New York: A gentleman, now one of the wealthiest 
men of the city, some years ago found himself well off in 
wordly goods. He was the possessor of one million of dol- 
lars. He was living at that time in a modest house, in a 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 81 

modest street, and was anxious to get into society. In order 
to do this, he resolved to give a ball, and invite the wealthiest 
and oldest families in New York. These people were his 
customers in business, and he supposed they would not ob- 
ject to receiving his hospitality. He was, unlike most of 
those who worship society, a man of real merit. His invita- 
tions were issued, and at the appointed time his mansion was 
made ready for a magnificent entertainment, but, though the 
family waited, and the rooms were kept lighted until the 
" wee hours of the morning," tiot a single one of those, to 
whom the invitations were sent, put in an appearance during 
the evening. The mortification of the would-be host and 
family, was intense, and it is said that he swore a mighty oath 
that he would acquire wealth and luxury, sufficient to compel 
the intimacy of those who had scorned him because he was 
less fortunate than themselves. lie kept his word, and to-day 
he stands at the head of that class to which he once aspired 
in vain. 

WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT. 

A work recently published in Paris gives the following ac- 
count of the topics discussed at a "shoddy" ball: 

"Following the advice of my companion, I listened to the 
gentlemen who were idling through the rooms. Everywhere 
that word 'dollar,' constantly repeated, struck upon my ear. 
All conversation had for its subject mercantile and financial 
transactions; profits, either realized, or to be realized, by the 
speakers, or the general prospect of the market. Literature, 
art, science, the drama, those topics which are discussed in 
polite European society, were not even alluded to. Another 
peculiarity I noticed — namely, the practice of self-commenda- 
tion and praise. Egotism seemed to permeate the mind of 
everybody — the word 'I' was constantly on the lips of the 
speakers." r 



82 TITE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITT. 

FASHIONABLE DISSIPATION. 

A ball or a party is the place to bring out the votaries of 
fashion. They crowd the salons of the host or hostess. Fre- 
quently they pay little attention to their entertainers, except 
to ridicule their awkwardness and oddities, conscious all the 
while that similar remarks will be made about them when 
they throw open their own houses to their friends. 

The opera draws them out in crowds, especially the Bouffe. 
Few understand the French or Italian languages, few are pro- 
ficients in music, but they go because "it is the thing, you 
know." Opera bouffe is very popular, for those who cannot 
understand the language are generally quick enough to catch 
or appreciate the indecency of the plot or situations. The 
more indecent the piece, the more certain it is of a long run. 

Few fashionable women have time to attend to their fami- 
lies. These are left to the mercy of hirelings. The titles of 
wife and mother are becoming merely complimentary. They 
are ceasing to suggest the best and purest types of woman- 
hood. That of mother is becoming decidedly old fogyish, 
and to-day your fine lady takes care that her maternal in- 
stincts shall be smothered, and that her family shall not in- 
crease beyond a convenient number. Children grow up in 
idleness and extravagance, and are unfitted for any of the 
great duties of life. They are taught to regard wealth as the 
only thing to be desired, and they are forced up as rapidly as 
possible to join the ranks of the fast young men and women 
of New York, who disgrace what are called our "upper 
circles." 

EXTRAVAGANCE. 

Extravagance is the besetting sin of New York society. 
Money is thrown away. Fortunes are spent every year in 
dro«s. and in all sorts of follies. Houses are furnished and 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 83 

fitted up in the most sumptuous style, the building and its 
contents often being worth over a million of dollars. People 
live up to every cent of their incomes, and often beyond 
them. It is no uncommon occurrence for a fine mansion, its 
furniture, pictures, and even the jewels and clothes of its oc- 
cupants, to be pledged to some usurer foi the means with 
which to carry on this life of luxury. Each person strives 
to outdo the rest of his or her acquaintances. The rage for 
fine houses and fine clothes is carried to an amazing extent, 
and to acquire them, persons of supposed respectability will 
stoop to almost any thing. Of late years, a number of fash- 
ionable ladies have been detected in dry-goods stores in the 
act of purloining fine laces, embroideries, and other goods, 
and concealing them under their skirts. 

a lady's glove. 

Two or three years ago the fashionable world was thrown 
into a state of excitement by the marriage of a Fifth Avenue 
belle to a gentleman of great wealth. The night before the 
wedding the bride's presents, amounting to a small fortune in 
value, were exhibited to a select circle of friends. Amongst 
the various articles was a magnificent diamond necklace, the 
gift of the groom, which attracted universal attention. After 
the guests departed, the bride-elect, before retiring for the 
night, returned to take a parting glance at her diamonds. To 
her horror, they were missing. The alarm was given, and a 
search was made. The jewels could not be found, however, 
but a small kid glove — a lady's— was discovered tying on the 
table. The bride's father was a sensible banker, and he at 
once "hushed up" the affair, and put the glove and the case 
in the hands of an experienced detective. In a few weeks 
the thief was discovered. She proved to be the wife of a 



84 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

wealthy merchant. She had stolen the diamonds with the 
intention of taking them to Europe to have them reset. In 
consequence of the return of the jewels, and the social posi- 
tion of the thief, the matter was dropped. 

MARRIAGES. 

Only wealthy marriages are tolerated in Xew York society 
For men or women to marry " beneath" them is a crime so- 
ciety cannot forgive. There must be fortune on one side. 
Marriages for money are directly encouraged. It is not un- 
common for a man who has made money to make the mar- 
riage of his daughter the means of getting the family into 
society. He will go to some young man within the pale of 
good society, and offer him the hand of his daughter and a 
fortune. The condition on the part of the person to whom 
the offer is made is, that he shall use his influence to get the 
bride's family within the "charmed circle." Such proposals 
are seldom refused. 

When a marriage is decided upon, it is the bounden duty 
of the happy pair to be married in a fashionable church. To 
be married in or buried from Grace Church is the desire of 
every fashionable heart. Invitations are issued to the friends 
and acquaintances of the two families, and no one is admitted 
into the church without such a card. Often "no cards" are 
issued, and the church is jammed by the outside throng, who 
profane the holy temple by their unmannerly struggles to se- 
cure places from which the ceremony can be viewed. Two 
clergymen are engaged to tie the knot, a single minister be- 
ing insufficient for such grand affairs. A reporter is on hand, 
who furnishes the city papers with the fall particulars of the 
affair. The dresses, the jewels, the appearance of the bride 
and groom, and the company generally, are described with a 
slavishness that is disgraceful. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 85 

If the wedding is at Grace Church, Brown, the " great sex- 
ton," is in charge of all the arrangements. He understands 
every detail connected with such an affair, and will not allow 
any one to interfere with him. A wedding over which he 
presides is sure to be a succcess. It is needless to say he has 
his time well taken up with such engagements. At weddings 
and at parties, Brown makes out the list of persons to be in- 
vited. He allows no interference. He knows his invitations 
will be accepted, and as he knows who is in town, both 
6tranger and resident, he can alwa}*s make out a full list. He 
directs every thing, and carries his arrangements out with the 
decision and authority of an autocrat. The Lenten Season 
is his bugbear. It is fashionable to observe Lent in New 
York, and funerals are then the only opportunities for the 
display of his peculiar talents. These he makes as interest- 
ing as possible. He charges a liberal price for his services, 
and is said to have amassed considerable money. 

FASHIONABLE DEATH. 

As it is the ambition of every one to live fashionable, it is 
their chief wish to be laid in the grave in the same style. 
Undertakers at fashionable funerals are generally the sexton 
of some fashionable church, that, perhaps, of the church the 
deceased was in the habit of attending. This individual pre- 
scribes the manner in which the ceremony shall be carried 
out, and advises certain styles of family mourning. Some- 
times the blinds are closed and the gas lighted. The lights 
in such cases are arranged in the most artistic manner, and 
every thing is made to look as "interesting" as possible. 

A certain fashionable sexton always refuses to allow the 
female members of the family to follow their dead to the grave. 
He will not let them be seen at the funeral at all, as he says 



86 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

* it's horridly vulgar to see a lot of women crying about a 
corpse ; and, besides, they're always in the way." 

After the funeral is over, none of the bereaved ones can be 
seen for a certain length of time, the period being regulated 
by a set decree. They spend the days of their seclusion in 
consultations with tUeir modiste, in preparing the most fashion- 
able mourning that can be thought of; in this they seem to 
agree fully with a certain famous modiste, who declared to a 
widow, but recently bereaved, that " fashionable and becoming 
mourning is so comforting to a person in affliction." 

A ROMANCE OF FIFTH AVENUE. 

Hollow as it is, Shoddy in New York has its romances. 
One of the most striking of those which occur to us is the story 
of a family which we shall designate by the name of Svvigg. 
There will, doubtless, be those who will recognize them. 

If Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Swigg had a weakness for any thing 
it was for being considered amongst that " select and happy 
few," known to the outside world as " the upper ten." Mr. 
Swigg had wealth, and Mrs. Swigg meant to spend it. She 
could not see the use of having money if one was not to use 
it as a means of "getting into society ;" and though she con- 
tented herself with being thus modest in her public expres- 
sions, she was, in her own mind, determined to make her money 
the power which should enable her to lead society. She meant 
to shine as a star of the first magnitude, before whose glories 
all the fashionable world should fall. She would no longer 
be plain Mrs. Ephraim Swigg, but the great and wealthy Mrs. 
Swigg, whose brilliancy should eclipse any thing yet seen in 
Gotham. Oh I she would make Fifth Avenue turn green with 
jealousy. There was only one difficulty in the way — Mr. 
Swigg might not be willing to furnish the sum necessary for 



\ 

THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 87 

the accomplishment of this grand purpose : still she would at- 
tempt it, trusting that when he had fairly entered upon the joys 
of fashionable life, he would be too much charmed with them 
to begrudge " the paltry sums " necessary to continue them. 

Mr. and Mrs. Swigg had not always enjoyed such advantages. 
There was a time when the lady might have been seen in a 
market stall, where her robust beauty drew to her crowds of 
admirers of doubtful character. She had made a wise choice, 
however, and after looking coldly upon these swains, had be- 
stowed her hand upon Ephraim Swigg, a rising young butoher, 
who sold his wares in the same market. To be sure, Mr. Swigg 
was not a beauty, nor even as handsome as the plainest of the 
admirers she had cast aside ; but he had a more substantial 
recommendation than any of them. He was the owner of a 
lucrative business, and had several thousands laid by in hard 
cash. So, influenced by these considerations, Miss Polly 
Dawkins became Mrs. Ephraim Swigg. In justice to her, be 
it said, she made a good wife. He was equally devoted, and 
they were genuinely happy. They had one child, a daughter, 
who, as she grew up, bade fair to ripen into a very pretty 
woman. 

They prospered steadily, and matters went on smoothly with 
them until the rebellion startled the men of means with a 
vague fear for the safety of their worldly possessions ; then 
Mr. Swigg, reckoning over his property, found himself 
possessed of a handsome fortune. He watched the course of 
affairs anxiously until the great disaster at Bull Eun, and then, 
like a good patriot, set to work to see how he could help the 
country out of its difficulties. Mr. Swigg's patriotism Was of 
the substantial kind — he derived the chief benefit from it. 
He bethought himself of taking out a contract for supplying 
the Army of the Potomac with cattle and other necessaries. 



88 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Hp put his scheme into execution, and, like every thing he at- 
tempted, it was successful. The army was fed, and towards 
the close of the year 1864 Mr. Swigg found himself worth 
three millions of dollars. 

Of coarse, with all this to "back " them, the Swiggs at once 
became people of note. Their entrance into society was easy 
enough, and no one was sufficiently impolite to remember 
their past lives against them. Mr. Swigg's coarse red face was 
attributed to his fine health, his rudeness of manner was called 
eccentricity, and his frequent breaches of etiquette were 
passed over in polite silence. Mrs. and Miss Swigg got on 
better. The mamma was naturally a shrewd woman, and she 
quickly adopted herself to the requirements of New 7ork 
society, which are very few and simple to one who has two 
or three millions at command. The daughter had enjoyed 
greater advantages than her parents ; she had been trained in 
the best schools, and as far as her naturally weak mind was 
capable of doing so, had profited by the efforts of her teachers. 
She was a weak and silly girl, and was indulged in every 
whim and caprice by her t parents. She was nineteen years 
old, and having fulfilled the promise of her youth, was indeed 
a handsome girl. Of course she was a belle, the sole heiress of 
three millions could be nothing else, were she as ugly as 
Hecate. 

Mrs. Swigg had reasoned correctly. With all his shrewd- 
ness and good sense, her liege lord shared her own weakness 
for high life, and readily complied with all her requests for 
money. He was not a stingy man at heart, and he was really 
glad to see his wife and daughter doing so well. Indeed they 
were all very good people — only their sudden rise in the 
world had turned their heads. 

Mr. Swigg purchased an elegant mansion on Fifth Avenue,, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 89 

which some broken down patrician offered for sale, and the 
family commenced their fashionable career in a blaze of 
glory. They had one of the finest establishments in the city ; 
they gave splendid entertainments, and the young bloods 
soon found that they could enjoy themselves at the Swigg 
levees very much as they pleased, as their host and hostess 
were too glad to see them, to criticize their conduct very 
olosely. The worthy couple counted many celebrities amongst 
their guests. There were generals, both major and brigadier, 
colonels and captains in abundance, and occasionally some 
dark-skinned, bewhiskered foreigner, who rejoiced in the title 
of count, marquis, or lord, and who looked more li^e he had 
passed his days in the galleys, than in the courts of the old 
world. The warmest welcome of the host and hostess, espe- 
cially the latter, was reserved for these gentlemen. Between 
the man in the blue and gold of his country's livery, who had 
daily perilled his life for the perpetuity of the institutions 
that had made the fortunes of the Swiggs, and the titled, sus- 
picious-looking foreigner, of whom they knew nothing with 
certainty, the good people never hesitated. The preference 
was given to the latter. 

One of these gentlemen was especially welcome. This was 
the Baron Von Storck, who claimed to be an Austrian noble- 
man of great Wealth, In support of his assertion, when he 
appeared at fashionable entertainments, he covered the front 
of his coat with ribbons of every hue in the rainbow. He 
made his appearance in New York society almost simultane- 
ously with the Swiggs, and from the first, devoted himself 
particularly to them or to Miss Arabella, the heiress of the 
three millions. 

As might have been expected, in the course of a few 
months the Baron proposed for the hand of Miss Arabella, to 



90 THE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 

the great delight of papa and mamma, and the 'young 
people' were formally engaged. After this the young- lady 
and her mother constantly amused themselves with writing 
the future title of the former, 'just to see how it looked.' 
Such a piece of good fortune could not be kept secret, and 
Miss Arabella was the object of the envy of scores of damsels 
who had been trying in vain to ensnare the elegant foreigner 
in their own nets, which were not so heavily baited. 

One morning the Baron waited upon Mrs. Svvigg, and pro- 
ducing an enormous document, written in German, and fur- 
nished with a huge red seal stamped with an eagle, informed 
her that the paper was a peremptory order from his Govern- 
ment, which he had just received, commanding him to return 
home at once, as his services were needed. lie added that he 
could not disobey the command of his sovereign, and asked 
that his marriage with Arabella might take place at once, so 
that they might sail for the old world in the next Bremen 
steamer. 

Mr. Swigg was summoned, and the matter laid before him. 
At first he hesitated, for he did not like so much haste ; but 
his wife and daughter at last wrung a reluctant consent from 
him, and the marriage was solemnized with great splendor at 
Grace Church, the inevitable Brown declaring, as usual, he 
had never experienced so much satisfaction in his life. 

Mr. Swigg, like a good father, settled half a million of dollars 
upon his daughter. The Baron had expected more, but the 
old man's shrewdness came to his aid in this instance, and he 
declared to his wife that this was money enough to risk at one 
time. His suspicions were very vague, and they were roundly 
denounced by his better half. He held his tongue, and after 
the marriage handed the Baron bills of exchange on Paris and 
Vienna for the five hundred thousand. Herr Yon Storck, on 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 91 

"his part, formally delivered to his father-in-law a deed, drawn 
up in German, (and which bore a wonderful likeness to the 
letter of recall he had shown Mrs. Swigg,) in which he said he 
settled a handsome estate near Vienna upon his bride. He 
apologized for not making her the usual present of diamonds, 
by saying that his family jewels were more magnificent than 
any thing that could be found in New York, and that he was 
afraid to risk their being sent across the ocean. They awaited 
his bride in his ancestral home. The parents expressed their 
■entire satisfaction, and begged that he would not mention 
"such trifles." 

The " young couple" were to sail on the second day after 
their marriage ; and, at the appointed time, the new baroness 
awaited her husband, with packed trunks. lie had gone out 
early in the morning to wind up his business at the Austrian 
Consulate. The steamer was to sail at noon, and as the hour 
drew near, and the Baron did not appear, the fears of Papa 
Swigg began to be aroused. Two, three, four o'clock, and 
yet no Baron Von Storck. Terror and dread reigned in the 
hearts of the Swigg family. 

Towards five o'clock, a policeman, accompanied by a coarse- 
looking German woman, arrived at the mansion. lie in 
formed Mr. Swigg that he had orders to arrest Conrad Kreut- 
zer, alias the Baron Von Storck. The denouement had come 
at last. The policeman informed the old gentleman that 
the supposed Baron was simply a German barber, who 
had been released from the penitentiary but a short time, 
where he had served a term for bigamy, and that the woman 
who accompanied him was Kreutzer's lawful wife. 

Poor Papa Swigg ! Poor Mamma Swigg ! Poor Arabella, 
" Baroness Von Storck !" It was a fearful blow to them, but 
it was not altogether undeserved. 



92 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

The successful scoundrel had sailed at noon on the steamer, 
under his assumed name, carrying with him the bills of 
exchange, which were paid on presentation in Europe, there 
being then no Atlantic telegraph to expose his villainy before 
his arrival in the old world. He has never been heard of 
since. 

His victims were not so fortunate. All New York rang 
with the story, and those who had tried hardest to bring this 
fate upon themselves were loudest in ridiculing the Svviggs 
for their " stupidity ;" so that, at last, parents and daughter 
were glad to withdraw from fashionable life, to a more retired 
existence, where they still remain, sadder, and decidedly 
wiser than when their career began. Mr. Svvigg takes the 
matter philosophically, consoling himself with the determina- 
tion to vote against every foreigner who may 'run for office' 
in his district. His wife and Arabella, however, still suffer 
sorely from their mortification, and are firmly convinced that 
of all classes of European society, the German nobility is the 
most utterly corrupt. 

ETTIQUETTE OF CARDS. 

From the following article, which appeared recently m the 
Evening Mail, the reader will obtain a clear insight int., some 
of the outside customs of society : 

"Even the cut of the pasteboard upon which a it, an an- 
nounces his name is regulated by fashion. The man who 
wishes to have his note-paper, envelopes and cards, 'on the 
square,' must know what the mode is. Visiting cards for the 
present season will be rather larger than formerly, and of the 
finest unglazed Bristol board. The new sizes will tend rather 
to the square than otherwise. The shape of the card may be 
varied, according to taste, the proper adaptation to the size of 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 93 

the lettering being maintained. Among the various texts 
in use, nothing will supercede the English script, and those 
inimitable styles of old English text; the most novel being 
those with dropped capitals, and the extremely neat, extra- 
shaded. Visiting cards, with the familiar words denoting the 
object of the call, will remain in use, to some extent, especially 
for calls of congratulation or condolence. The word visite, 
on the left hand upper corner, will be engraved on the reverse 
side. The corner containing the desired word will be turned 
down, so as to denote the object of the call. The word on the 
right-hand corner, Felicitation, will be used foi visits of con- 
gratulation on some happy event, as, for instance, a marriage, 
or a birth ; on the left lower corner, the word Conge, used for 
a visit previous to leaving town ; the other corner is to be 
marked Condolence. Cards sent to friends before leaving for a 
long journey, are issued with the addition of P. P. C. in the 
left hand corner. These cards are inclosed in heavy and 
elegant, though plain, envelopes, ornamented with a tasteful 
monogram or initial. 

"In wedding invitations, all abbreviations, like eve. for 
evening, will be avoided, as well as p. m.; the word afternoon 
being preferable. Invitations to ceremonious weddings con- 
sist of a square note-sheet, embellished with a large monogram 
in relief, entwining the combined initials of the bride and 
groom. The individual cards of both bride and groom must 
be also inclosed, united with a neat white satin tie ; and, in 
some cases, another card, with reception days for the following 
month. 

"A very neat style of card has the customary 'at home' on 
a note-sheet, a ceremony card, (at fixed hour,) and the united 
cards of bride and groom, all enclosed in a splendid large 
envelope, of the very finest texture, with an elaborate mono- 



94 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

gram, or ornamental initial. Among the neater forms for a 
quiet wedding at home is the following : 

'MR. AND MRS. 

Request the pleasure of M. 's company at breakfast, on Wednesday, 

December 16, at one o'clock. 

' Hamilton Square.' 

"Cards of bride and groom must be inclosed for general 
invitations. Very simple forms are in the best taste. They 
may be varied to suit the occasion, either of dejeuner, dinner 
reception or evening parties. For example : 

'MRS. WILSON. 
' AT HOME, 

' "Wednesday evening, January 7. 

1 Fifth Avenue. 

' Cotillion at 9.' 

"Or; Soiree Dansante. 

'MR. AND MRS. K. DAY 

' Request the pleasure of your company on Monday evening, at 9 o'clock. 
' R. S. V. P.' 

"An afternoon wedding reception may be announced in 

terms like the following : 

'MR. AND MRS. HENRY ROBINSON 

'Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding reception of 
their daughter, on Thursday, October 15, from 2 until 4 o'clock. 

' Maple Grove.' 

"Or again: 

'MR. AND MRS. RICHARD WILSON 

' Request the pleasure of your presence at the marriage ceremony of 
their daughter Adelaide to Mr. Jones, at Trinity Chapel, on Wednesday 
evening, October 5, at 8 o'clock. 
' Reception from 9 until 11 o'clock. 

' West Hamilton street.' 

" The mode for private dinners may claim a paragraph. Of 
late, private dinners have been conducted with great cere- 
mony. The menu, or bill of fare, is laid at each plate, an 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITT. 95 

illuminated monogram embellishing the top of the menu. 
The list of dishes, tastefully written, and a beautifully adorned 
illuminated card are laid on each plate, to designate the seat 
of the particular guest. Another style of these cards is plain 
white, bound with a crimson or blue edge, and has the words 
Bon Appetit, in handsome letters, above the name of the guest, 
which is also beautifully written in the same original style, or, 
perhaps, in fancy colored ink. 

"Acceptance and regret notes are found very useful and 
convenient on some occasions. The best forms are : 

' MR. AND SIRS. C. WHITE'S 

compliments to Mrs. , accepting, with pleasure, her kind invitation 

for Wednesday evening, January 14, 1869. 

' Clinton Place' 

"If the note be one of regret, 'regretting the necessity to 
decline,' is substituted. These blanks are neatly put up in 
small packages, with proper envelopes. 

"For billet or note-paper, some new styles of fine Parisian 
papers have just been introduced, and, for the extreme neatness 
of the design, or figure, in the paper, have become very fash- 
ionable. The different styles in paper and envelopes could 
scarcely be enumerated. The forms are small, square, and 
rather large, oblong shape; both folding in a square envelope, 
with pointed flap. A novelty has just been introduced, in a 
sheet of paper, so cut as to combine note sheet wit J envelope. 

" Monograms will, this season, tend to an enlarged size, 
besides being more complicated than usual. In many cases, 
the monograms spell pet names, and sometimes names of sev- 
eral syllables. Illuminated monograms, especially for heading 
of party or ball invitations, will be greatly sought after. For 
usual letter writing, monograms in one delicate color, or in 
white embossed, will be in vogue. These are very stylish, when 
user) on thick English cream laid paper. Names of country 



96 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

residences, in rustic design, are also used at the top of the 
note sheet. Jockey monograms are formed of riding equip- 
ments. Some novelties in this way have recently made their 
appearance. For those fond of the game of croquet, mono- 
grams are formed of the implements of the game; and smokers 
may have their articles of smoking so arranged as to represent 

their initials. 

AN ECONOMICAL WEDDING. 

New York has long been celebrated for its magnificent en- 
tertainments, and especially for its weddings, and wedding 
breakfasts. On such occasions the guests, unwilling to be 
outdone by the host in liberality, sometimes vie with each 
other in presenting the bride elect with costly gifts of every 
description. One, two, or three rooms, as the case may be, 
are set apart at every " fashionable wedding," where the 
presents are displayed and commented upon by the invited 
guests. It has been frequently suggested by the more pru- 
dent members of society that these offerings be entirely sup- 
pressed, and that none but the immediate relations should 
commemorate the day in this wise ; but the idea has met with 
no favor, till of late, when one of our fashionable " Murray 
Hill princes," took a most determined step toward reform. 
As it is the only case of the kind on record, a description of 
. the wedding may not be uninteresting. Several hundred in- 
vitations were given, and at the appointed hour the parlors 
were crowded almost to suffocation. The bride was attired 
in a white marceline silk of most scant proportions; her veil 
consisted of one breadth of tulle caught in her comb, at the 
back of her hair ; no flowers were worn except a very minute 
bunch in front of her dress. The groom was attired with 
like simplicity, thereby attracting considerable attention. 

No refreshments were offered to the wearied guests, who 
gladly bade adieu, and returned to their homes. There was 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 97 

a false hope, raised in the minds of a few, on seeing a large 
bride cake in one corner, that a glass of wine and a piece of 
cake might be served ; but the illusion was dispelled on 
questioning the waiter (one only being in attendance), who in- 
formed them he had instructions not to cut it ! The presents 
were spread upon a small table, and created not a little aston- 
ishment. One five dollar gold piece was laid upon a card, 
bearing the inscription, " From your affectionate grandfather." 
A coin of half this value was presented by the "affectionate 
grandmother," while devoted brothers and sisters testified 
their affection by the presentation of a gold dollar each. As 
might be expected, the guests departed early. One lady was 
unfortunate enough to have ordered her carriage to call for 
her at midnight. She saw all depart, and then seated herself 
to await patiently its coming. After awhile a savory smell 
of oysters, coffee, etc., came floating on the air. With some 
confusion of manner the members of the family one by one 
disappeared, and after some delay, the host hesitatingly in- 
vited her to partake of some refreshments. She declined, and 
the family retired to discuss the supper ; leaving her to await 
her carriage alone in the parlor. 

THE BEST SOCIETY. 

If New York has a profusion of gilt and glitter in its hign 
life, it has also the real gold. The best society of the city is 
not to be found in what are known as " fashionable circles." 
It consists of persons of education and refinement, who are 
amongst the most polished and cultivated of the American 
people. To this class belonged Fennimore Cooper and Wash- 
ington Irving. It is small, very exclusive, and careful as to 
whom it admits to its honors. Shoddy and its votaries can- 
not enter it, and therefore it is decidedly unfashionable. 
6 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE TOMBS. 

Leaving Broadway at Leonard or Franklin streets, one 
finds himself, after a walk of two blocks in an easterly direc- 
tion, in a wide thoroughfare, called Centre street. His atten- 
tion is at once attracted by a large, heavy granite building, 
constructed in the style of an Egyptian temple. This is the 
Tombs. The proper name of the building is " The Halls of 
Justice," but it is now by common consent spoken of simply 
as the Tombs. It occupies an entire square, and is bounded 
by Centre, Elm, Franklin, and Leonard streets. The main 
entrance is on Centre street, through a vast and gloomy cor- 
ridor, the sternness of which is enough to strike terror to the 
soul of a criminal. Within the walls which face the street, 
is a large quadrangle. In this there are three prisons, several 
stories high. One of these is for men, the other for boys, 
and the third for women. The gallows stands in the prison 
yard, when there is need for it, all executions of criminals in 
this city being conducted as privately as possible. 

The prison is one of the smallest in America, and is utterly 
inadequate to the necessities of the city. It was built at a 
time when New York was 'hardly half as large as the metrop- 
olis of to-day, and is now almost always overcrowded to an 
extent which renders it fearful. It is kept perfectly clean, its 
sanitary regulations being very rigid. It is very gloomy in 
its interior, and is one of the strongest and securest prisons 
in the world. No lights are allowed in the cells, which are 
98 




THE TOMBS— CITY PRISON. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 99 

very small, but a narrow aperture cut obliquely in the wall, 
near the ceiling, admits the sunshine, and at the same time 
cuts off the inmates from a view of what is passing without. 
Besides these, there are six comfortable cells located just over 
the main entrance. These are for the use of criminals of the 
wealthier class, who can afford to pay for such comforts. 
Forgers, fraudulent merchants, and the like, pass the hours 
of their detention in these rooms, while their humbler, but no 
more guilty brothers in crime are shut up in the close, nar- 
row cells we have described. These rooms commakd a view 
of the street, so that their occupants are not entirely cut off 
from the outer world. 

THE BUMMER'S CELL. 

The main cell in the prison is a large room, with a capacity 
for holding about two hundred persons. It is known as the 
" Bummer's Cell." It is generally full on Saturday night, 
which is always a busy time for the police. The working- 
classes are paid their weekly wages on Saturday, and having 
no labor to perform on the Sabbath, take Saturday night for 
their periodical dissipation, comforting themselves with the 
reflection that if they carry their revels to too great an excess, 
they can sleep off the bad effects on Sunday. 

From sunset until long after midnight on Saturday, the • 
police are busy ridding the streets of drunken and disorderly 
persons. As soon as a person is arrested, he is taken to the 
Toombs, or one of the station houses. It is the duty of the 
captain in charge of the precinct to lock up every person thus 
brought in. He has no discretion, and he is often compelled 
to throw those of whose innocence he is satisfied, into the 
company of the most abandoned wretches for an entire night. 
Drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and fighting are the prin- 



100 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

cipal charges brought against the Saturday night inmates of 
the Bummer's Cell. Many visitors to the city, by yielding 
to the temptation to drink too much liquor, pay for their 
folly by an acquaintance with the Bummer's Cell. They lose 
their self control in the splendid gin palaces of the city, and 
when they recover their consciousness find themselves in a 
hot, close room, filled with the vilest and most depraved 
wretches. The noise, profanity, and obscenity, are fearful. 
All classes, all ages, are represented there. Even little 
children are lost forever by being immured for a single night 
in such horrible company. The females are confined in a 
separate part of the prison. No entreaties or explanations are 
of the least avail. All must await with as much patience as 
possible, the opening of the court the next morning. 

THE TOMBS POLICE COURT. 

The Court opens at six o'clock on Sunday morning. It 
is presided over by Justice Joseph Dowling, a short, thick-set 
man, with a handsome face, and a full, well-shaped head, 
indicating both ability and determination. Judge Dowling 
is still a young man, and is one of the most efficient magis- 
trates in the city. His decisions are quickly rendered, and 
are generally just. He has a hard class of people to deal 
with, and this has made him not a little sharp in his manner. 
A stranger is at once struck with the quick, penetrating 
power of his glance. He seems to look right through a 
criminal, and persons brought before him generally find it 
impossible to deceive him. This has made him the terror of 
criminals, who have come to regard an arraignment before 
him as equivalent to a conviction, as the one is tolerably sure 
to follow the other. At the same time he is kind and consid- 
erate to those who are simply unfortunate. Vice finds him 



THE SECRETS OF THE GRE1T CITY. 101 

an unrelenting foe, and virtue a fearless defender. So much 
for the man. 

As soon as the Court is opened, the prisoners are called 
up in the order of their arrival during the previous night. 
Here drunkenness without disorder, and first offences of a 
minor character, are punished with a reprimand, and the 
prisoners are discharged. These cases constitute a majority 
of the arrests, and the number of persons in the dock is soon 
reduced to a mere handfull. The more serious cases are 
either held for further examination or sent on trial before a 
higher court. 

All classes of people come to the Justice with complaints 
of every description. Women come to complain of their 
husbands, and men of their wives. The Justice listens to 
them all, and if a remedy is needed, applies the proper one 
without delay. In most instances, he dismisses the parties with 
good advice, as their cases are not provided for by the law. 

A SAD CASE. 

Some of the cases which are brought up before the Tombs 
Court are deeply interesting. We take the following from 
the report of the General Agent of the New York Prison 
Association : 

" The case referred to is that of a woman indicted for bur- 
glary and grand larceny. She was guilty, and she felt and 
acknowledged it. She had lived in a neighboring city for 
the last six years, and for the last three years on the same 
floor with the complainant, and the consequence was they 
were very friendly and intimate. Her husband sustained a 
severe injury from a fall, and has since been in declining- 
health, earning nothing for the last eighteen months. At 
length his mind gave way and his friends advised his removal 



102 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

to the Lunatic Asylum. He had been an inmate for six 
months, and his wife frequently visited him, always con- 
tributing to his wants and comforts. He improved so rapidly 
that the doctor informed his wife that on the following week, 
if the weather proved clear and fine, he should discharge 
him. The wife felt anxious to make her home more than 
ever cheerful and her husband happy, but she had nc means. 
She thought of the abundance of clothing her neighbor pos- 
sessed, and that some articles could be spared for a short 
time, probably without detection ; and if she should be 
detected before she could redeem them, her friend would 
excuse her. She devised means to enter, and conveyed to 
the pawnbroker's two parcels of clothing, upon which she 
realized nine dollars ; she made some purchases for the 
house, redeemed a coat for her husband, and then started for 
the asylum for the purpose of fetching him to her home. 
But on her arrival there, the physician told her that he had 
left a few hours before, that he was well and happy, and that 
she must keep him so. On her return home the larceny had 
been discovered, and the property found at the pawnbroker's ; 
it had been pledged in her own name, and where she was well 
and favorably known. An officer was waiting, and she was 
taxed with the crime ; she had destroyed the duplicate. The 
complainant gave her into the custody of the officer, but 
promised to forgive her if all the property was recovered. 
The husband went to his friends, and they advanced funds 
to redeem the property. It was returned, and also a hat paid 
for which had been taken. I carefully examined into this 
case and all its surroundings. The woman had sustained the 
reputation of being a sober, industrious, honest person ; her 
state of mind was truly distressing, her greatest fear was that 
her husband would relapse, and she would be the cause of all 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 103 

his future misery. I submitted all these facts to the district 
attorney ; he could not consent to any compromise, and again 
referred me to the county judge, who would not yield a tittle. 
Counsel having been assigned, a plea of guilty of grand 
larceny was put in by him, and she was remanded for sen- 
tence until Saturday. I felt very unhappy at her condition. 
On Friday evening I endeavored to find the district attorney, 
but failed ; on Saturday morning I wrote him and asked him 
to concede that she could not be convicted of burglary, and 
then, was it not very doubtful whether she could be convicted 
of any thing more than petit larceny ? If so, I urged him to 
consent to the withdrawal of the plea put in by her counsel, 
and then permit it to be substituted by one of petit larceny. 
My proposition met with favor ; its suggestions were adopted, 
and the prisoner, instead of ignominy in the State Prison, 
was sent to the Penitentiary for three months. The woman 
is now in a situation at work, but her mind is ill at ease, as 
her husband has not been heard of since her imprisonment." 

SAVED IN TIME. 

"A member of an eminent firm in this city," says the gen 
tleman from whose report the above case is taken, "called 
upon me with a request that I would visit a youth, aged 
seventeen years, now in the Tombs, charged upon his com- 
plaint with embezzling various sums of money whilst in their 
employ as collecting clerk. He felt anxious I should see 
him, and then advise what should be done. The next morn- 
ing I repaired to the prison, and had the youth brought from 
his cell, when he made the following statement : That he 
lived and boarded with his widowed mother and sisters in a 
neighboring city, where also he had taken an active part in all 
their religious meetings and enterprises. He thinks he ex- 
perienced a great moral change when first he became a mem- 



104 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

ber, and until of late bad made religious duties bis greatest 
delight. He bad regarded bis family as one of tbe bappiest 
that could be found. Some seven or eigbt montbs since be 
was introduced to tbe firm referred to, and tbey engaged bis 
services, agreeing to give him five dollars per week. He was 
soon appreciated by bis employers, and tbey advanced bis 
salary to seven dollars a week, out of wbich he paid bis mo- 
ther for board five dollars, and one dollar for bis weekly fare 
on tbe railroad. This left him but one dollar for bis own use. 
He soon became acquainted with other collecting clerks, with 
whom he took lunch, first a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and 
then dinners and dessert. In this way the money of his em- 
ployers disappeared. He could not charge himself with any 
one special act of extravagance. He felt, he said, ashamed 
of himself, and deeply pained before God, and wondered that 
he could not see and feel before that he has sinned greviously. 
I now urged him to conceal nothing, but tell the truth, and 
nothing but the truth, and to pause and consider before he 
answered the next question I should put to him, as it was a 
very serious one. ' How long would it take to induce him, 
with solemn purpose of heart, to resolve, unalterably resolve, 
never to be guilty of a repetition of crime, never to spend a 
cent belonging to another?' The penalty for bis offence was 
from one year to five in a State prison. I then begged him 
to inform me how I should approach bis honor the judge, be- 
fore whom ho must be brought if prosecuted. Should I ask 
the court to show him mercy, and send him but for two 
years? or would it require a longer sentence to effect a per- 
manent change in his life? He wept distressingly, and said: 
'Oh, save mo from such a fate, if not for mine, for my mo- 
ther's sake. Beg and pray of the firm to show me mercy, 
and 1 will bo careful and honest for the future.' One of the 
gentlemen called upon me and inquired if I had seen this 




SCENE IN THE TOMBS POLICE COURT 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 105 

youth I replied that I had. 'Then what do you advise?' 
I asked if it was known in the house that the lad was a de- 
faulter. ' To none but my partner,' he replied. Then, said 
I, the best advice I am capable of giving is, forgive him, ask 
the court to discharge him, and take him bach again into your 
office. I am happy to say that my advice was adopted. The 
youth was discharged, forgiven, and taken back again into the 
house, and is now performing his duties with alacrity, very 
grateful to the Association, and more especially to the firm 
for their noble conduct in this matter. That young man has 
no doubt been saved from a career of crime." 

RELIGIOUS SERVICES. 

The prisoners confined in the Tombs are provided with the 
means of hearing divine service every Sunday. The Eoman 
Catholic clergy have the exclusive privilege of ministering to 
the spiritual wants of the women and children, and for this 
purpose have quite a nice little chapel fitted up in the female 
department of the prison. The Sisters of Charity preside 
over this part of the prison at all times, and no one is per- 
mitted to interfere with them. 

The Protestant clergy are permitted to preach to the male 
prisoners in the main corridor of the prison. The preacher 
stands on the platform at the upper end of the passage, and 
the prisoners in their cells can hear him without seeing him. 
They pay little or no attention to him, but receive their 
friends in their cells, or employ themselves according to their 
own fancies during the preaching. The bummers are grouped 
in the corridor just below the preacher, and are called out 
from time to time by the keepers, as they are wanted in the 
court room. The minister is frequently annoyed and embar- 
rassed by the shouts, jeers, and imitations of the prisoners 
in their cells. 



CHAPTER VII. 

REFORMATORY ESTABLISHMENTS. 

The principal reformatory establishments of New York 
city are the Penitentiary, on BlackwelPs Island, and the House 
of Refuge, devoted to juvenile criminals, on Randall's Island. 

THE PENITENTIARY. 

"The large pile of buildings which forms such a prominent 
object on Blackwell's Island, known as the Penitentiary, is 
familiar to most of the residents of New York City, though 
the every day life of its inmates is practically known only to 
that class to which they immediately belong. 

"The Penitentiary, which is under the wardenship of Mr. 
Pitch, is capable of accommodating about seven hundred and 
fifty prisoners, but at present their numbers are slightly un- 
der live hundred — about three hundred men, and ninety wo- 
men. The prisoners are divided into classes, the particular 
dress of each indicating the nature and gravity of their of- 
fences, and though amenable to the same laws as to labor and 
discipline, they work in separate gangs and mess by them- 
selves. They are under the control of twenty -four keepers, 
each keeper, who is heavily armed, having fifteen men in his 
charge, whose roll he calls, and for whose absence he is re- 
sponsible. At six o'clock the prisoners are all paraded to call 
the roll, at half-past six they have breakfast, consisting of 
dry bread and a bowl of coffee, and at seven, those who are 
skilled workmen are told off to the blacksmiths', carpenters', 
106 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 107 

tailors', and weavers' shops, where all necessary repairs to the 
building and its fittings are done, and the clothing for the 
prisoners is made ; others to labor in the gardens and fields, 
while the remainder are marched off in two divisions, one to 
work in the stone quarries at home, tne others to be conveyed 
by the Commissioners' steam vessel Bellevue to the quarries 
on Ward's Island. The female prisoners are principally oc- 
cupied in the sewing-room, in the brush-manufactory, in 
washing clothes, and scrubbing out the cells. 

"The majority of the prisoners are committed for assault 
and battery or larceny, for terms varying from one month to 
four years and a half; those committed for graver offenses are 
confined at Sing Sing ; all drunkards, vagrants, and disor- 
derly characters at the workhouse. During the past year 
two thousand three hundred and fifteen persons were incar- 
cerated for different periods — two thousand one hundred and 
thirty-nine whites, one hundred and seventy-six blacks. Of 
these about one third were native Americans, one third Irish, 
one tenth German, and the remainder of various nationali 
ties. The visitor to the Penitentiary cannot but be struck by 
the youth of the male prisoners compared with that of the 
females, the bulk of the males being between fourteen and 
thirty years of age, the females between twenty-five and 
fifty. Few young girls find their way here, as in their earlier 
career they are able to gain enough by a life of prostitution, 
without committing larceny, and consequently do not resort 
to it till their charms begin to wear, and the consequent di- 
minution of their means of subsistence from such a source 
compels them to resort to some other. There is another fact 
which appears in these statistics of crime, one highly sug- 
gestive to the housekeeper. Of the four hundred and eleven 
female prisoners committed during the past year, no less than 



108 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

three hundred and two were domestic servants, and of these 
two hundred and forty-one were Irish girls and women. 

" At twelve o'clock the prison bell rings for dinner. It is a 
sad sight to stand on the terrace and see the various gangs 
of men and lads march home from their work, the greater 
proportion of them fine, sturdy looking young fellows ; it is 
sadder still to see some of them carrying a heavy iron ball 
and chain slung over the shoulder and attached to a strong 
iron band locked round the leg immediately above the ankle. 
These men have tried to escape. Necessary as it may be to 
adopt such measures to prevent them from repeating the at- 
tempt, surely it is unnecessarily cruel to compel these poor 
creatures to wear their irons at night. Their dinner consists 
of a can of soup, a plate of meat, and ten ounces of bread. 
They are allowed one hour, and are then marched back 
again to their work in the quarries ; they have supper, bread 
and coffee, at five o'clock, and at half-past five they are all 
locked in their cells, which, though scrupulously clean, are 
certainly too small (about the size of an ordinary clothes 
closet), considering that the prisoners have to pass twelve 
hours out af the twenty-four in them. 

"On Sunday the sewing-room of the female prisoners is 
used as a Chapel, the men attending services in the morning, 
the women in the afternoon ; once a month there is service 
for the Eoman Catholic prisoners. The convicts have no 
privileges; a sharp, intelligent lad may become a hall boy or 
get employed in the mess room; or a mechanic may be ap- 
pointed to one of the workshops and so gain some slight re- 
lief from the monotony of their lives; but they get no 
reward, beyond a little tobacco once a week for chewing; 
smoking is strictly prohibited ; once a month they are allowed 
to be visited by their friends. On entering the building the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 109 

visitor is forcibly struck by the following inscription over 
the doorway. 

' The way of the transgressor is hard.' 

'Such is the greeting to the unfortunate criminal as he 
puts his foot, often for the first time, within the prison walls. 
If an inscription be necessary, surely the Department of 
Public Charities and Correction might have chosen one less 
harsh in character ; one that breathes a larger amount of 
Christian charity to a poor fellow creature, one that may 
offer him some small portion of that encouragement which is 
so essential to his reformation. Some such epigram as ' it is 
never too late to mend ' would be altogether more suitable 
and far more encouraging." 

THE HOUSE OF REFUGE. 

"The Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction, 
in their last report, made the startling announcement that 
there are no less than thirty-nine thousand children in the 
City of New York, growing up in ignorance and idleness. 
These children, influenced from their cradles by the most 
terrible surroundings, have no alternative but to become 
beggars and thieves almost as soon as they can run alone. 
Thousands of them are orphans, or perhaps worse, for they are 
often the children of parents who, ignoring the laws of nature, 
use them for the purpose of furthering their own vicious ends. 
They live principally in a neighborhood which abounds in 
lodging-houses for sailors, the lowest class of liquor stores 
dancing and concert rooms, and various other low places of 
amusement; a neighborhood swarming with brothels, whose 
wretched inmates are permitted to flaunt their sin and finery, 
and ply their hateful trade openly, by day and night ; where 
at midnight the quarrels, fights, and disturbances, are so 



110 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

noisy and so frequent tliat none can hope for a night's rest 
until they are inured by habit; where, night after night, 
they witness the most desperate encounters between drunken 
men and women, kicking, biting, and tearing one another's 
hair out, as they roll together in the gutter, or, as is too often 
the case; using deadly weapons, and where the crowd, in- 
stead of interfering to stop these awful scenes, stand by in a 
brutal enjoyment of them, abetting and encouraging the 
principal actors therein. And their homes, what are they? 
Their fathers, often out of work, are unable to support their 
families; their clothes, their bedding, their furniture, all gone 
to the pawn-shop; father, mother, and children, are often 
compelled to sleep on the bare boards, huddling close to- 
gether for warmth in one ill-built, ill-ventilated room. Amid 
their misery, this neglect of the common decencies of life, 
this unblushing effrontery of reckless vice and crime, what 
ohanoe have these poor unhappy little children of becoming 
decent members pf society. They are sickly from the want 
of proper nourishment, vicious from example, ignorant be- 
cause they do not care to learn, and their parents take no 
trouble to compel them to do so, and must inevitably grow 
up only to swell the already fearful sum total of our crimi- 
nal population. At ten the boys are thieves, at fifteen the 
girls are all prostitutes. 

- A svstem of State reformatories and State apprenticeships 
on an extensive scale is the only way oi" grappling with this 
terrible state of things. Such institutions as the" House of 
Refuge on Randall's Island have done and are doing much, 
but a dozen such institutions might be established with 
advantage in the State o( New York alone. On Randall's 
Island the young criminal has the opportunity of acquiring 
regular habits and learning a useful trade. They are sub- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. Ill 

ject to a humane, though strict discipline, and a very large 
per centage, especially of the boys, do undoubtedly become 
reformed. This reformatory, a wise combination of school 
and prison, can accommodate one thousand inmates. There 
are at present about eight hundred boys, and one hundred 
and fifty girls on the register. The boys' building is divided 
into two compartments, the first division, in the one, is thus 
entirety separated from the second division, in the other com- 
partment. The second division is composed of those whose 
characters are decidedly bad, or whose offence was great. A 
boy may, by good conduct, however, get promoted from the 
second into the first division. As a rule the second division 
are much older than the first. Each division is divided into 
four grades. Every boy on entering the Reformatory is 
placed in the third grade ; if he behaves well he is placed in 
the second in a week, and a month after to the first grade , if 
he continues in a satisfactory course for three months, he is 
placed in the grade of honor, and wears a badge on his breast 
Every boy in the first division must remain six months, in 
the second division twelve months in the first grade, before 
he can be indentured to any trade. These two divisions are 
under the charge of twenty-five teachers and twenty five 
guards. At half-past six o'clock the cells are all unlocked, 
every one reports himself to the overseer, and then goes to 
the lavatories ; at seven, after parading, they are marched to 
the scliool-rjoms to join in religious exercises for half an 
hour; at half past seven they have breakfast, and at eight are 
told off to the work-shops, where they remain till twelve, 
when they again parade, previous to going to dinner. For 
dinner they have a large plate of excellent soup, a small por- 
tion of meat, a small loaf of bread, and a mug of water. At 
one o'clock they return to their work When they have 



112 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

completed their allotted task they are allowed to play till 
four, when they have supper. At half-past four they go to' 
school, where they remain till eight o'clock, the time foi 
going to bed. Each boy has a separate cell, which is locked 
and barred at night. The cells are in long, lofty, well ven- 
tilated corridors, each corridor containing one hundred cells. 
The doors of the cells are all grated, in order that the boys 
may have light and air, and also be under the direct super- 
vision of the officers, who, though very strict, apparently 
know well how to temper strictness with kindness. Before 
going to bed, half an hour is again devoted to religious exer- 
cises, singing hymns, reading the Bible, etc. There is a large 
chapel, where the services are conducted on Sunday, the girls 
having the gallery to themselves. There is, however, no 
Catholic service. This, surely, is not right. At the Peniten- 
tiary on Black well's 'Island they have service once a month 
for the Catholics. Of the six hundred and eighty-two chil- 
dren committed from the Courts during the year 1867, no 
Jess than four hundred and fourteen were Irish, and in all 
probability a large proportion of these are Roman Catholics. 
Institutions of this character should certainly be made as un- 
sectarian as possible. 

" One of the most interesting, and at the same time, one of the 
most important features of the Eefuge, is the workshop. On 
entering the shop, the visitor is amused by finding a lot of 
little urchins occupied in making ladies' hoopskirts of the la- 
test fashionable design; nearly 100 are engaged in the crinoline 
department. In the same long room, about 50 are weaving 
wire for sifting cotton, making wire sieves, rat traps, gridiron^ 
flower baskets, cattle noses, etc. The principal work, however, 
is carried on in the boot and shoe department. The labor of 
the boys is let out to contractors, who supply their own fore- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 113 

men to teach the boys and superintend the work, but the 
society have their own men to keep order and correct the bo}^s 
when necessary, the contractors' men not being allowed to 
interfere with them in any way whatever. There are 590 boys 
in this department. They manage on an average to turn out 
about 2,500 pairs of boots and shoes daily, which are mostly 
shipped to the Southern States. Each one has a certain 
amount of work allotted to him in the morning, which he is 
bound to complete before four o'clock in the afternoon. Some 
are quicker and more industrious than others, and will get 
their work done by two o'clock ; this gives two hours' play to 
those in the first division, the second division have to go to 
school when they have finished till three o'clock, they only being 
allowed one hour for recreation. The authorities are very 
anxious to make 'arrangements to have a Government vessel 
stationed off the island, to be used as a training-ship for the 
most adventurous spirits. If this design is carried out it will 
be a very valuable adjunct to the working of the institution, 
and will enable the Directors to take in many more boys, 
without incurring the expense of extending the present build- 
ings. The girls are also employed in making hoop skirts, 
in making clothes for themselves and the boys, in all sorts of 
repairing, in washing linen, and in general housework. The 
girls are generally less tractable than the boys ; perhaps this 
is accounted for by their being older, some of them being as 
much as five or six and twenty. The boys average about 13 
or 14 ; the girls 17 or 18 years of age. Nearly two thirds of 
the boys have been boot-blacks, the remainder mostly what 
are technically known as ' wharf^rats.' Some of them are 
now in the house for the third time ; one, a lad only 15 years 
of age, has passed one year in a juvenile asylum, four years in 
a reformatory, and is now at Eandall's Island. Another has 
7 



114 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

been three times convicted of horse stealing ; he would, late 
at night, ask permission to sleep in a stable ; lie is a complete 
cripple, nnd by attracting sympathy his request was often 
granted ; when every one had left the place he would quietly 
open the door and lead out the horses. On each occasion that 
he was convicted he managed to get off with three horses. 
Another little fellow, only six years old, with a chum broke 
into a pipe store, and stole 150 meerschaum pipes; he was 
however detected while trying to dispose of them. There is 
a colored lad, about eighteen, who is very amusing ; he is a 
great orator, and addresses the others on all subjects, both 
general and political. On one occasion, when the Principal 
ventured to ask him whom he had adopted as his model for 
speaking, he grandly replied, ' I will have you to know, sir, 
that I am no servile imitator.' Some of the boys cannot over- 
come their thieving* propensities, but will, even in the Eefuge, 
purloin things that can be of no earthly use to them, if they 
get the chance. They are very quick and expert. Only a 
few days ago one of the boys fell down in a fit in the school- 
room ; some of the others assisted the teacher to carry him 
into the open air. The poor fellow had a collection of nick- 
nacks in one pocket, and about 20 penny pieces in the other, 
but during the moment that passed in carrying him out both 
pockets were emptied. The Directors of the house of Eefuge, 
while having a due regard for the well-being of its inmates, 
very properly take care that they are not so comfortable or 
so well fed as to lead them to remain longer in the reforma- 
tory than necessary. As soon as the boys appear to be really 
reformed they are indentured out to farmers and different trades. 
In the year 1867 no less than 633 boys and 146 girls were 
started in life in this way. Any person wishing to have a 
child indentured to him, has to make a formal application to 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 115 

the Committee to that effect, at the same time giving refer- 
ences as to character, etc. Inquiries are made, and if satis- 
factorily answered, the child is handed over to his custody, 
the applicant engaging to feed, clothe, and educate his young 
apprentice. The boy's new master has to forward a written 
report to the officer, as to his health and general behavior 
from time to time. If the boy does not do well, he is sent 
back to the Refuge, and remains there till he is 21 years of 
age. Most of the children, however, get on, and many of them 
have made for themselves respectable positions in society. 
The annals of the Society in this respect are very gratifying 
and interesting. Many young men never lose sight of a Refuge 
which rescued them in time from a criminal life, and to which 
they owe almost their very existence. Instead of alternating 
between the purlieus of Water street and Sing Sing, they are 
many of them in a fair way to make a fortune. One young 
man who was brought up there, and is now thriving, lately 
called at the office to make arrangements for placing his two 
younger brothers in the House, they having got into bad com- 
pany since their father's death. A very remarkable occurrence 
took place at the institution not long ago. A gentleman and 
his wife, apparently occupying a good position in society, called 
at the Refuge and asked to be allowed to go over it. Having 
inspected the various departments, just before leaving, the 
gentleman said to his wife, 'Now I will tell you a great secret. 
I was brought up in this place.' The lady seemed much sur- 
prised, and astounded all by quietly observing ' And so was 
I.' So strange are the coincidences„of human life. 

" The last financial report issued by the Managers is cer- 
tainly encouraging, and might be studied with advantage by 
the Directors of other public institutions. The total expend- 
itures for the year 1867, for an average of nine hundred and 



116 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

ninety inmates, was $115,036 ; but the earnings of the work- 
shops amounted to $55,090, making the net expenditures 
$59,946. In 1864, the net cost of each child was $83 ; in 
1865, $80 ; in 1866, $74, and in 1867, $61. In 1864, the net 
earnings of each child were $39 ; in 1865, $42 ; in 1866, $49, 
and in 1867, $56, showing every successive year a better 
result. At the Eed Hill Keformatory in England, the net 
cost of each child for the year 1867, was $135, and the net 
earnings of each child $30. The total expenditure of the 
Penitentiary on Blackwell's Island for last year was $93,966 
for an average of five hundred and thirty three-inmates ; de- 
ducting $15,175, the value of convict labor, the net expendi- 
ture was $77,791, making the net annual cost of each convict 
$146. After making all allowances for difference of age, etc., 
there is a very wide margin between $146 and $61. The 
Principal of the Eefuge, Mr. Israel C. Jones, has been occu- 
pied for seventeen years in Reformatory work, and no doubt 
the successful results attending the operations of this society 
are mainly due to his great experience. Mr. Jones takes 
great pleasure in receiving visitors who are desirious of 
seeing the practical workings of his system." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

LINES OF TRAVEL. 

In a city so vast as New York, one of the greatest consid- 
erations is to provide ample means for rapid and sure passage 
from one part of the corporate limits to another. ^Persons 
who live at the upper end of the island cannot think of walk- 
ing to their places of business or labor. To say nothing of 
the loss of time they would incur, the fatigue of such a walk 
would unfit nine oat of ten for the duties of the day. For 
this reason all the lines of travel in the City are more or 
less crowded every day. The means of transportation now at 
the command of the people are the street railways and the 
omnibusses, or stages, as they are called. 

THE STREET CARS. 

The majority of the street railways centre at the Astor 
House and City Hall. From these points one can always 
find a car to almost any place in the city. The fare is six 
cents to any part of the City below 62nd Street, and seven to 
any point above that and below 130th Street. The cars are 
all more or less crowded. With the exception of a few lines, 
they are dirty. An insufficient number are provided, and 
one half of the passengers are compelled to stand. The con 
ductors and drivers are often rude and sometimes brutal in 
their treatment of passengers. One meets all sorts of people 
in these cars. The majority of them are rough and dirty 
and contact with them keeps a person in constant dread of an 

117 



118 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

attack of the itch, or some kindred disease. Crowded cars 
are a great resort for pickpockets, and many valuable articles 
and much money are annually stolen by the light-fingered 
gentry in these vehicles. 

The wages paid to employees by the various companies 
■ are not large, and the drivers and conductors make up the 
deficiency by appropriating a part of the fares to their own 
use. Some are very expert at this, but many are detected, 
discharged from the service of the company, and handed over 
to the police. The companies exert themselves vigorously to 
stop such practices, but thus far they have not been success- 
ful. Spies, or " Spotters," as the road men term them, are 
kept constantly travelling over the lines to watch the con- 
ductors. These note the number of passengers transported 
during the trip, and when the conductors' reports are handed 
in at the receiver's office, they examine them, and point out 
any inaccuracies in them. They soon become known to the 
men. They are cordially hated, and sometimes fare badly 
at the hands of parties whose evil doings they have exposed. 
As all the money paid for fares is received by the conductor, 
he alone can abstract the "plunder." He is compelled to 
share it with the driver, however, in order to purchase his 
silence. In this way, the companies lose large sums of 
money annually. 

There is either a car or stage route on all the principal 
streets running North and South. There are, besides these, 
several "cross town" lines, or lines running across the City. 
East and West, from river to river. The fare on these is five 
cents. They cross all the other railways, and their termini 
are at certain ferries on the North and East Eivers. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 119 

THE STAGES. 

The stages of New York are a feature of the great city 
which must be seen to be appreciated. They are fine, hand- 
some coaches, with seats running lengthways, and capable of 
seating from twelve to fourteen persons. They arc drawn by 
two horses, and have all the lightness and comfort of a line 
spring wagon. Their routes begin at the various ferries on 
the East river, from which they reach Broadway by the near- 
est ways. They pass up Broadway for over a mile, and turn 
off from it to other sections of the city at various points be- 
tween Bleecker and Twenty-third streets. The fare m these 
vehicles is ten cents, and is paid to the driver, who communi- 
cates with the passenger by means of a hole in the upper and 
front end of the coach. The cheekstring passes from the 
door through this hole, and is fastened to the driver's foot. 
By means of this, a passenger can at any moment stop the 
stage. In order that the driver may distinguish between a 
signal to stop the coach and one to receive the passenger's 
fare, a small gong, worked by means of a spring, is fastened 
at the side of the hole. By striking, this the passenger at 
once commands the driver's attention. 

The stage drivers are entirely exposed to the weather, and 
suffer greatly from the extremes of heat and cold. They can 
not leave their seats, and are oftentimes terribly frozen in 
the winter, before reaching the ends of their routes. They 
are constantly on the watch for passengers, and it is amusing 
to watch the means to which they resort to fill their coaches. 
In the early morning, and towards the close of the day, they 
have no need to solicit custom, for then both stages and cars 
are crowded to their utmost capacity. During the rest of the 
day, however, they exert themselves to fill their coaches. 
They are called upon to exercise no little skill in driving. 



120 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Broadway, and the cross streets along their routes, are always 
crowded with vehicles, and it requires more dexterity than 
one would at first suppose, to avoid accidents. 

Good drivers are always in demand. Their wages are fair, 
and they are allowed the greater part of Saturday, or some 
other day in the week, and as the stages do not run on Sun- 
day, they are always sure of two "off-days" out of the seven. 
Like the street railway men, they consider it perfectly legiti- 
mate to fill their own pockets at the expense of the owners 
cf the vehicles. The writer of these pages once had a long 
conversation upon this subject with the driver of a stage. 
Jehu endeavored to justify the practice of robbing his em- 
ployers by a number of very ingenious arguments, and finally 
closed with the remark : 

" Well, you see, Mr. Martin, where the boss is a sensible 
man, he don't object to a driver's making a few dollars for 
Himself, for he knows that a man who can make a plenty of 
stamps for himself will always make a plenty for the boss, to 
keep from being found out ; and it is a fact, sir, that them as 
makes most for themselves always makes the biggest returns 
to the office." 

The drivers are frequently in trouble with the police. They 
bave a holy horror of falling i nto the hands of these limbs 
of ili«- law, and this feeling renders them more careful in their 
driving, and general conduct while on duty. 

Owing to the high rate of fare demanded by the stages, the 
rougher and dirtier portion of the community are seldom met 
in them. The passengers are generally of the better class, 
and one meets with more courtesy and good breeding here 
than in the street cars. Ladies, unaccompanied by gentle- 
men, prefer the stages to the cars. They arc cleaner, and 
females are less liable to annoyance. Like .me cars, however. 




SCENE ON BROADWAY-DANGERS OF CKOSSI 



NG, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 121 

they are the favorite resorts of pickpockets. At night thej 
are patronized to such an extent by streetwalkers seeking 
custom, that the city press has styled them "perambulating 
assignation houses." 

THE FERRIES. 

Including the Harlem and Staten Island lines, there are 
twenty-three lines of ferries plying between New York and 
the adjacent shores. Of these, nine are in the Noith or 
Hudson river, and fourteen in the East river. The boats are 
large side-wheel vessels, capable of carrying both foot-pas- 
sengers, horses, and vehicles. Early in the morning they are 
crowded with persons and teams coming into the city, and in 
the afternoon the travel is equally great away from the city. 
On some of the lines the boats ply every five minutes ; on 
others the intervals are longer. The Harlem and Staten 
Island boats start hourly — the fare on these lines is ten cents. 
On the East river lines it is two cents, on the North river 
three cents. 

The boats are large and handsome. Nearly all of them 
are lighted with gas, and at least a score of them are seen in 
the stream at the same moment. At night, with their many 
colored lights, they give to the river quite a gala appearance. 
The travel on them is immense. Over fifty millions of per- 
sons are annually transported by them. Many often carry 
from 800 to 1000 passengers at a single trip. 

During the summer it is pleasant enough to cross either ot 
the rivers which encircle the island ; but in the winter such 
travelling is very dangerous. Storms of snow, fogs, and float- 
ing ice interfere greatly with the running of the boats, and 
render accidents imminent. Collisions are frequent during 
rough or thick weather, and the ice sometimes carries the 



122 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

boats for miles out of their course. The East river is always 
more or less crowded with vessels of all kinds, either in 
motion or at anchor, and even in fair weather it is only by 
the exercise of the greatest skill on the part of the pilot that 
collisions can be avoided. The following incident from one 
of the city journals for November 14, 1868, will show how 
terrible these accidents are : 

" Early this morning, when the Brooklyn boats are most 
crowded, chiefly with workmen and girls coming to the city 
just before working hours, a frightful collision took place as 
one of the Fulton ferry boats was entering the New York 
slip, resulting in the wounding of probably twenty persons, 
many of them fatally. At that hour four boats are run on 
the Fulton ferry, the Union and Columbia running on a line, 
as also the Hamilton and Clinton. The Clinton being slightly 
detained on the New York side, the Hamilton, waiting for 
her, remained longer than usual at the Brooklyn slip, and 
received therefore an immense load of passengers, probably 
over a thousand. At this time in the morning, it being flood 
tide, a strong current sets up the East river from Governor's 
Island, winch is just now further strengthened by the freshet 
on the Hudson. The Hamilton, therefore, after being carried 
up on the Brooklyn side, and turning in the centre of the 
river, steamed down some distance below the New York slip, 
as usual, in order not. to be carried beyond by the upward 
tide. Turning, she then came up to the slip, where the 
Union was laying, chained up, at the southern or lower ferry- 
way. Close in by the piers an eddy from the main current' 
which strikes New York about Beekman street, sets strongly 
down stream. As the Hamilton came into the slip from 
below, aiming at the upper ferry -way, her bow was caught 
by this eddy and swung ar0 und with great force toward the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 123 

end of the Union. The Hamilton having a full load and the 
Union having just discharged hers, the former was much the 
lower in the water. The projecting guard of the Union 
therefore entered the front part of the ladies' cabin at about 
the height of the seats, and also smashed the rails on the 
outer deck. This particular part of the boat was, of course, 
the most densely crowded, and the consequences of the shock 
were frightful. One boy, George Brewer, who was said to 
have been outside the chain, was caught by the foot and 
instantly killed, his head and a good part of the body 
being mashed to a jelly. Several had their feet cut off below 
the knee, and a dozen others were seriously injured. The 
following is the list of those known to be hurt. It is 
probable that several cases have not yet been discovered, and 
one or two may have fallen overboard and not yet been 
missed. People looking anxiously for missing friends, sup- 
posed to have been on the fated boat, have been calling in 
great numbers during the morning at the ferry -house and 
the police station." 

Efforts have been made to span the East river with a 
bridge, for the purpose of affording sure and safe communica- 
tion between this city and Brooklyn, but the plan has always 
met with the sternest and most uncompromising hostility 
from the ferry companies, who wish to retain their present 
enormous business. 



CHAPTER IX. 

STREET MUSICIANS. 

Street musicians in New York are as plentiful as the leaves 
in Vallambrosa. One cannot walk two blocks in the entire 
City, without hearing from one to half a dozen street instru- 
ments in full blast. A few of the instruments are good and 
in perfect tune, but the majority emit only the most horrible 
discord. 

THE ORGAN GRINDERS. 

Only a few of the organ grinders own their organs. The 
majority hire them from parties who make a business of letting 
them. The rent varies from two to twenty dollars per month, 
according to the quality of the instrument ; the French flute- 
organ commanding the best price. The owners of the organs 
generally manage to inspire the "grinders" with a wholesome 
terror of them, so that few instruments are carried off unlaw- 
fully, and after all, the organ grinders are generally more 
unfortunate than dishonest. 

The men are generally Italians. Occasionally a German 
or Swiss is seen, but Italy contributes the great majority. 
Women are not often seen on the streets in such capacities, 
except in company with their relatives or lovers, and then 
they accompany the organ with the tambourine. 

In good weather, a man with a good flute-organ can gener- 
ally make from two to five dollars a day. Those who have the 
best instruments seek the best neighborhoods in the upper part 
of the city. There they are always sure of an audience of chil- 
124 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. Vl 5 

dren, whose parents pay well, and some of these seemingly poor 
fellows have made as much as from ten to fifteen dollars in a 
day and evening. In bad weather, however, they are forced 
to be idle, as a good organ cannot be exposed with impunity 
at such times. The "grinders" pay from five to eight dollars 
per month for their rooms, and sustain their families entirely 
upon maccaroni. They use but a single room for all the pur- 
poses of the family, and, no matter how many are to be 
accommodated with sleeping arrangements, manage to get 
along in some way. They are very exclusive, and herd by 
themselves in a section of- the Five Points. Baxter and Park 
and the adjoining streets are taken up, co a great extent, with 
Italians. 

The better class of Italians keep their apartments as neat as 
possible. Children of a genial clime, they are fond of heat, 
and the temperature of their rooms stands at a stage which 
would suffocate an American. 

As a general rule, the organ grinders are better off in this 
country than in their own. Their wants are simple, and they 
can live with comfort on an amazingly small sum. 

There are, however, many who are not so fortunate as those 
to whom we have referred. These are the great majority of 
the organ grinders, the owners, or renters of the vile, discord- 
ant instruments which are the bane of city people. They 
earn comparatively little but kicks and curses. They are 
ordered off by irate householders, and receive but little or no 
consideration from the police. They live in wretchedness and 
want. Their homes are vile and filthy, and they are the perpe- 
trators of a great many of the crimes that disgrace the city. 
They are frequent visitors at the Tombs, and are ready to be 
employed for any dirty job for which unscrupulous men may 
wish to engage them. 



126 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

THE WANDERING MINSTRELS. 
Any one who can turn a crank can manage a street organ. 
The arrangement of the instrument being entirely automatic, 
no knowledge of music on the part of the grinder is necessary. 
Another class of street minstrels are required to possess a 
certain amount of musical skill in order to perform creditably. 
These are the strolling harpers and violinists. Like the organ 
grinders they are chiefly Italians, but they are not so fortunate 
in a pecuniary sense. Their earnings are very slender, and 
they live lives of want and misery. A very few are excellent 
performers, but the great mass have not the faintest idea of 
music. 

CHILD MINSTRELS. 

It is said that there are several hundred child minstrels in 
the City of New York, by which we mean children below the 
age of sixteen or seventeen years. They are chiefly Italians, 
but there are a few Swiss and some Germans amongst them. 
They are generally to be found in the streets in pairs ; but 
sometimes three " travel " together, and sometimes only one 
is to be found. 

Mr. Nathan D. Urner, of the Tribune, whose experience of 
city life lias made him a valuable authority in such matters, 
has recently contributed an article on this subject to Packard's 
Monthly for November, 1868, from which we make the fol- 
lowing interesting quotations : 

" As a general rule, the little ones have parents or rela- 
tives—mostly engaged in the same business— to whose sup- 
port they contribute ; but there are both men and women in 
the city— and most heartless, worthless wretches they arc— 
who import orphan children from Naples and Tuscany, for 
the purpose of turning their childish talents, both as musi- 
cians and beggars, to practical account. Indeed, a number of 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 127 

years ago, there was a villain, living in Baxter street, who 
employed at one time fourteen children, mostly girls, in this 
manner. His name, if my memory serves me correctly, was 
Antonelli. At any rate, by a cruel system of punishment 
and semi-starvation, he reaped considerable profit from the 
unfortunates — compelling them to steal as well as beg, and 
converting the girls into outcasts at the earliest possible age — 
until his arrest and imprisonment in the penitentiary of a 
neighboring State released them from their bondage, though 
only, it is to be feared, to fall into hands quite as bad. But 
they are seldom much better off, even if they have parents. 
A detective police officer told me that he knew of half-a- 
dozen cases where Italian fathers of this class had made a 
regular business of hiring out their children for the purposes 
of prostitution ; and the precocity of development and ex- 
pression frequently betrayed by the girls, still young in 
years, is mournful evidence of the truth of his statement." 

It is astonishing to see how little musical talent is exhibited 
by these little ones, whose natures are drawn from the land 
of music. We have repeatedly seen them sawing away 
patiently at a violin, or jerking the strings of a harp, but 
could detect no semblance of melody in the noise they made. 
Not a few of the little ones endeavor to make up in dancing 
what they lack in musical skill. Their parents or proprietors 
are harsh and stern with them, and endeavor to beat some 
slight knowledge of their art into them, but it is a long time 
before they succeed. Sometimes death steps in to end the 
troubles of the child before success has crowned the efforts of 
the parent. Let us hope the little voices will be more melo- 
dious in the unseen world. 

Sometimes these children will be found in pairs on the 
streets, consisting of a boy with a small harp, and a girl 



128 TIIE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

with a violin ; or sometimes two girls, one with an old, 
broken guitar, and the other with a tambourine ; or, again 
of two boys, with harp and violin. Their music, at the best, 
is but woi Lhless, and their voices have a cracked, harsh, 
monotonous cadence, but they also possess a sadness which 
rarely fails to bring a penny or two into the outstretched hat. 
They are dirty, ragged, and more like monkeys than children, 
but they have a wistfulness and weariness about their gaze 
and manner that make one's heart ache. It is so sad to see 
young children condemned to such lives. They are very 
young, the average age being eight years, but they do not 
seem like children. You think they are little old men and 
women. 

At all hours of the day, and until late at night, you may 
hear their music along the streets, and listen to their sad, 
young voices going up to the ear that is always open to them. 
They are half fed and half clothed, and their filthiness is 
painful to behold. They sleep in fair weather under a door 
step, in some passage-way or cellar, or in a box or hogshead 
on the street, and in the winter huddle together in the cold 
and darkness of their sleeping places, for we cannot call them 
homes, and long for the morning to come. The cold weather 
is very hard upon them. They love the warm sun, and 
during the season of ice and snow are in a constant state of 
semi- torpor. You. see them on the street, in their thin, 
ragged garments, so much overpowered by the cold that they 
can scarcely strike or utter a note. Sometimes they are per- 
mitted by the keeper of some saloon to approach his stove for 
a m< >ment or two. These are the bright periods of their dark 
lives, for as a general rule, they are forced to remain in the 
streets, plying their avocations until late in the night, for 
olows and curses are their reward should they fail 10 carry to 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 129 

those who own them a fair day's earnings. Give them a 
penny or two, should they ask it, reader. You will not miss 
it. It is more to them than to you, and it will do you no 
harm for the recording angel to write opposite the follies and 
sins of your life that you cast one gleam of sunshine into the 
heart of one of these little minstrels. 

AN INCIDENT. 

During one of the heavy snows of the last winter, one of 
these child harpers was trudging wearily down Fifth Avenue, 
on his way to the vile quarter in which he was to spend the 
night. It was intensely cold, and the little fellow s strength 
was so much exhausted by the bleak night wind that he stag- 
gered under the weight of his harp. At length he sat down 
on the steps of a splendid mansion to rest. The house was 
brilliantly lighted, and he looked around timidly as he seated 
himself, expecting the usual command to move off. JSTo one 
noticed him, however, and he leaned wearily against the bal 
nstrade, and gazed at the handsome windows through which 
the rich, warm light streamed out into the wintry air. As he 
sat there, strains of exquisite music, and the sounds of dancing-, 
floated out into the night. The little fellow clasped his hands 
in ecstacy and listened. He had never heard such melody, 
and it made his heart ache to think how poor anjj mean was 
his own minstrelsy compared with that with which his ears 
were now ravished. The wind blew fierce and keen down the 
grand street, whirling the snow about in blinding clouds, 
but the boy neither saw nor heard the strife of the elements, 
lie heard only the exquisite melody that came floating out to 
him from the warm, luxurious mansion, and which grew 
sweeter and richer every moment. The cold, hard street 
became more and more indistinct to him, and he sat very stilL 
with his hands clasped, and his eyes closed. 



130 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

The ball ended towards the small hours of the morning, 
and the clatter of carriages dashing up to the door of the 
mansion, gave the signal to the guests that it was time to 
depart. No one had seen the odd-looking bundle that lay on 
the street steps, half bufied in the snow, and which might 
have lain there until the morning had not some one stumbled 
over it in descending to the carriages. With a half curse, 
one of the men stooped down to examine the strange object, 
and found that the bundle of rags and filth contained the 
unconscious form of a child. The harp, which lay beside 
him, told his story. He was one of the little outcasts of the 
streets. Scorning to handle such an object, the man touched 
him with his foot to arouse him, thinking he had fallen asleep. 
Alas! it was .the eternal sleep. 

A SAD STORY. 

Mr. Nathan D. Urner, from whose interesting paper in 
Packard's Monthly we have already quoted, draws the follow- 
ing touching picture of minstrel life: 

"A horrible murder had been committed. All engaged in 
it, including the victim, were foreigners. There was not a 
redeeming feature, not even the rather equivocal one of pas- 
sion's frenzy, connected with the deed. It was deliberate 
long-concerted, mercenary, atrocious, and bloody. The mur- 
derers—there were two— were shortly afterwards arrested, 
tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, with a dispatch and 
inexorableness which— probably owing to their friendless- 
ness— was somewhat unusual under the statutes of this State. 
The most .affecting incident connected with the condemned— 
both of them desperate villains— was the parting scene between 
the Italian criminal (his comrade was a Spaniard) and his 
child. This was a little girl, scarcely ten years of age; I 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 131 

doubt if she numbered so many. The man was low browed, 
narrow-templed, and of a generally brutal, repulsive aspect. 
They were about to lead him into the dungeon of the con- 
demned, the studded door of which would not open again 
save to admit his passage to the gallows-tree ; and his poor 
child was beside him. Hardened, sin-stained as he was, the 
father was himself visibly affected ; but the tempest of wild, 
passionate grief that agitated the little girl', so soon to be left 
an orphan, was something remarkable in one of her years. 

"She was evidently a child of the streets. H^r diess was 
ragged and foul, and even her face so unclean as to be barely 
redeemed by the large, beautiful black eyes which would 
alone have betrayed the sunny clime of her origin. While 
the wretched criminal stood, shame-facedly and with drooping 
crest, before her, she fell upon his manacled hands, kissing 
them wildly, and betraying in her childish grief all the deep, 
sensitive, despairing sorrow of a woman. The villain before 
her might have often beaten her, debased her immeasurably, 
but the mysterious cord that linked their beating hearts was 
unbroken, though it sang like a bowstring in the gusty horror 
that swept between, and stretched to attenuation as the elder 
spirit sank, groaning, into the abyss of its own wickedness. 
Hot tears gushed from her eyes, her little throat was swollen 
with the choking sobs, and her narrow, rag-covered chest 
heaved with tumultuous agony. But after he was taken away, 
when the iron door which to her was, indeed, the door of the 
tomb, had closed between them forever, she became quickly 
calm, and her face soon wore an air of quiet resignation. 

"As she was about leaving the court-room she stooped and 
picked up a weather-stained guitar. I guessed her vocation, 
and was resolved to speak to her. 

" ' What is your name, little one ?' 



132 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

" 'Angela, sir.' It was a sad voice, but very sweet. 

" 'And do you play on this for a living?' 

" 'I play and sing also, sir.' 

"The couri had been dismissed, and the crowd were con- 
fusedly dispersing. 

" ' I say, little gal, can't you give us a song 'afore you go ?' 
said an inconsiderate policeman, meaning to be good-natured. 

" 'I shall not sing to-day, sir!' said the little girl, decisively I 
and then, with a dignity of grief which sat well upon her, 
despite her rags, she passed out of the room with her dingy 
guitar, while the large man who had accosted her so rudely 
shrank back, abashed, before the glance with which the black 
eves reproached him to the heart, ere they vanished in the 
crowd. 

" Here was a chance for me. I happened to be the only re- 
porter present at the scene — 'sensation' was my forte — a 
' beat' upon all the other dailies had come directly to my hand. 
It was late in the week, and I was also afforded the chance of 
cm. king the thing up remuneratively for two or three weekly 
papers. But the whole thing stood before me like a picture 
which it seemed a sacrilege to copy. So I cheated the Tribune 
with the rest, and, for the first time in my life, let the oppor- 
tunity for a sensation slip my hand. No credit to either heart 
or head, however, for a relapse into my chronic state of im- 
pecuniosity, on the following week, caused me to curse a 
squeamishness whose absence might have earned a score of 
dollars. 

" 15 ut I soon forgot the incidents in the court-room in the 
manifold and hum-drum duties of my profession. 

"Several months afterward, however, I was passing down 
Park Row, when my attention was attracted to a little girl 
playing a guitar and singing an Italian song in a plaintive, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 133 

monotonous air. Her dress and voice attracted ray attention 
on the instant, and, when I saw her face, I recognized Angela, 
the girl of the trial-scene. It was her father whom, at that, 
very moment, I was going to see hanged. I stood stock-still 
with amazement, the coincidence was so startling. 

" When she had finished her song, and had garnered up the 
few coppers placed in her hand by the careless and uncritical 
crowd, I stepped up to her and said : 



" 'Angela, do you remember 



! ! I " 



"'Yes, sir,' she replied, her dark face lighting up with a 
gleam of recognition. 

"*' Do you know what day this is ? ' 

'"It is the morning of my father's death — how should I 
forget it ? ' 

"'You refused to sing on the day of his sentence — can yoa 
find heart, then, to do so in this dreadful hour ? ' 

"The dirty little fingers fluttered nervously over the music- 
strings — as the creative hand might do with a human heart 
of whose destiny there was a doubt. For an instant a pang 
of agony wreathed the young face to the depth of its expres- 
sions, but she resumed her sorrowful complacency immediately. 

"'I am singing to my mother across the sea,' she said, 
quietly. 

" Then, resuming her guitar, she swept out a yet more 
plaintive air, and lifted her young, shrill voice in song. The 
crowd around her did not increase, the interest was not en- 
hanced, and the chary pennies of approbation were as few as 
before. But to me there was a wild, desolate melancholy in 
the melody that fell so unheedingly upon the ears of the 
crowd. They did not see nor hear what I did. They merely 
saw a dusky foreign girl using her voice for a scanty liveli- 
hood, /saw a patient, suffering, religious spirit, singing out 



134 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

its agony to a kindred spirit beyond the eight hundred leagues 
of heaving brine (I would wager my life that the mother heard 
that song, were she buried in the bosom of the Appenines) ; 
and the deep melancholy of those large, dark eyes, uplifted so 
plaintively, the saintly refinement of sorrow that lingered in 
the soft, olive face which spoke of far Italy, the ' divine 
despair ' of the mellow voice, haunted me strangely and un- 
pleasantly as I hurried away to the scene of death." 

WHAT BECOMES OF THESE CHILDREN. 

It is very sad to think of the future of these little ones. 
Without education, with an early familiarity with want, 
misery, brutality, and crime, the little minstrels rarely "come 
to any good." The girls grow up to lives of shame, and for- 
tunately die young. The boys become vagrants, thieves, and 
often assassins. They soon find their way to the reformatory 
establishments and prisons of the city. The police watch them 
closely, and never overlook one of their offences. Everybody 
condemns them, and no one reflects that they are irresponsible 
for their sins. " As the twig is bent the tree is inclined." 



CHAPTER X. 

THE PEES3. 

The Press of New York is a subject which requires more 
time and space in its treatment than can be given to it in this 
volume, and we must therefore confine ourselves to a brief 
glance at it. It is divided into two branches, the secular and 
religious, and in the former we include all the political and 
literary journals of the City. 

THE MORNING PAPERS. 

The daily journals of New York are the ablest and best 
conducted in America, and among the most brilliant in the 
world. Their power is immense, and they generally shape 
and direct the tone of the provincial journals. They are 
conducted upon a most excellent system as far as their in- 
ternal arrangements are concerned, and the persons employed 
upon them arc men of ability and experience. As pecuniary 
investments, they pay handsomely. The stock is very valu- 
able, and it is impossible to purchase, it at any price, the 
present owners being unwilling to sell. Nearly all the prin- 
cipal journals have handsome printing houses of their own. 
The new Herald office is one of the most magnificent edifices 
in the City, and in its internal arrangement is the most con- 
venient in the world. 

The morning papers are the Herald, Tribune, Times, World, 
Sun, Democrat, Journal of Commerce, Staats Zeitung, and Com- 
mercial Advertiser. 

135 



136 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

THE HERALD 

is regarded as the model newspaper of the United States. Its 
office is located at the corner of Broadway and Ann Streets, 
and is built of white marble, in the modern French style. 
Below the sidewalk are two immense cellars, or vaults, one 
below the other, in which are two steam engines of thirty-five 
horse power each. Three immense Hoe presses are kept run- 
ning constantly from midnight until seven in the morning, 
printing the daily edition. The rooms and machinery are 
kept in the most perfect order. Nothing is allowed to be 
out of place, and the slightest speck of dirt visible in any 
part, calls forth a sharp rebuke from Mr. Bennett, who 
makes frequent visits to every department of the paper. 

On the street floor, the main room is the public office of 
the journal. Its entrances are on Broadway and Ann street. 
It is paved with marble tiles, and the desks, counters, racks, 
etc., are of solid black walnut, ornamented with plate glass. 
Every thing is scrupulously clean, and the room presents the 
appearance of some wealthy banking office. 

On the third floor are the editorial rooms. The principal 
apartment is the "Council Room," which overlooks Broadway. 
Every other branch of the editorial department has its sepa- 
rate room, and all are furnished with every convenience ne- 
cessary for doing their work with the utmost precision and 
dispatch. 

Each day, at noon, the editors of the Herald, twelve in 
number, assemble in the " Council Room." Mr. Bennett, if 
he is in the City, takes his seat at the head of the table, and 
the others assume the places assigned. If Mr. Bennett is not 
present, his son, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., presides at the 



THE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 137 

council, and, in the absence of both father and son, the man- 
aging editor takes the head of the table. 

The council is opened by Mr. Bennett, or his representa 
tive, who presents a list of subjects. These are taken up, 
seriatim, and discussed by all present. The topics to be pre- 
sented in the editorial columns of the Herald the next day, 
are determined upon, and each editor is assigned the subject 
he is to "write up." All this is determined in a short while. 
Then Mr. Bennett asks the gentlemen present for suggestions. 
He listens attentively to- each one, and decides quickly whether 
they shall be presented in the Herald, and at what time ; and 
if he desires any subject to be written upon, he states his wish, 
and "sketches," in his peculiar and decisive manner, the vari- 
ous headings and the style of treatment. 

There are twelve editors and thirty-live reporters employed 
on the Herald. They are liberally paid for their services. 
Any one bringing in news is well rewarded for his trouble. 

The composing rooms are located on the top floor, and 
are spacious, airy, and excellently lighted. A "dumb waiter," 
or vertical railway, communicates with the press room ; and 
speaking tubes, and a smaller " railway," afford the means of 
conversation and transmitting small parcels between this 
room and the various parts of the building. Five hundred 
men are employed in the various departments of the paper. 

THE OTHER JOURNALS. 

The World, Tribune, Times, and other journals, have fine 
establishments of their own, that of the Times ranking next to 
the one just described. The advantages of the Herald sys- 
tem are so manifest that the other City dailies are adopting it 
as rapidly as possible. 



138 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

THE EVENING PAPERS. 

The evening papers are a noticeable feature of the great 
city. They are the Evening Post, the Evening Mail, the Ex- 
press, the Telegram, the News, and the Star. These issue their 
first editions at one o'clock in the afternoon, and their latest 
at five or six o'clock. On occasions of more than usual 
interest, extras are issued hourly as late into the night as 
eleven or twelve o'clock. The evening papers contain the 
latest news, gossip, and a variety of light and entertaining 
matter, and are bought chiefly by persons who wish to read 
them at home, after the cares and fatigues of the day are over. 

THE WEEKLIES. 
The weeklies are too numerous to mention. The principal 
are the Bound Table, the Nation, the Ledger, the Mercury, the 
New York Weekly, the Sunday Mercury, the News, the Dis- 
patch, the Leader, the Examiner and Chronicle, the Courier, the 
Clipper, Wilkes' Spirit, the Turf, Field and Farm, Harper's 
Weekly, Frank Leslie's Newspaper, the Bazaar, the Albion, the 
Citizen, the Irish Citizen, Irish American, etc., etc. All of 
these journals display more or less ability, and each one has 
its specialty. Some are devoted to politics, some to litera- 
ture alone, some to sporting matters, some to police items, 
and some to general news. 

THE RELIGIOUS PAPERS. 

The principal religious papers are, the Observer, the Inde- 
pendent, the Protestant Churchman, the Church Journal, the 
Methodist, etc., etc. They are devoted principally to denomi- 
national and sectarian matters, but too frequently dabble in 
politics to an extent that renders them more partisan than 
laymen care to see religious sheets. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 189 

PRINTING HOUSE SQUARE. 

Opposite the City Hall, at the junction of Nassau and 
Spruce streets and Park Row, is a large open space, known 
as "Printing House Square," so called because the offices of 
the leading journals of the city are either immediately on 
this square, or within a couple of blocks of it. Standing in 
the Park at this point, one may count the signs of at least 
thirty first-class journals of various kind," 

A PRESS CURIOSITY. 

"One of the curiosities of Printing-House Square is the 
huge engine which runs so many presses. This is owned by 
a firm in Spruce street between William and Nassau, and 
occupies the basement of their building. There is a large 
one hundred and fifty horse-power engine which runs during 
the day, and a seventy-five horse-power which relieves it at 
night. From this shafting and belting distribute the power 
m every direction. One shaft runs to and across Frankfort 
street, supplying The Mail and other offices, another crosses 
William street and runs the six cylinder presses which pile 
the three hundred thousand copies of the Ledger in its beauti- 
ful press-room. Another shaft crosses Spruce street, runs 
through and across Beekmau, and even supplies presses in 
Ann street. 

"Altogether these engines supply over one hundred and 
twenty-five presses — each being estimated and charged so 
much per horse-power according to this estimate. It runs 
three quarters of a mile of main shafting, beside a mile or 
more connecting shafts and as much belting. One of these 
belts, an india-rubber one, one hundred and twenty feet long, 
connects a fifth-story press on Nassau street with the main 
shafting on Spruce, across the intervening yards, and another 



140 TIIE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

leather one on Beekman street, one hundred and forty feet 
long, perfectly perpendicular, connects the sub-cellar and 
attic. 

"This engine prints all McLaughlin's toy books, runs the 
immense establishments of Bradstreet and J. W. Oliver, 
besides many other job printers, a hoop-skirt manufactory 
and several binderies, and prints nearly fifty papers, besides 
magazines and books innumerable, among them, the ' Mail, 1 tie 
'Independent,'' 'Dispatch, 1 'Leader,'' 'Star,' 'Examiner and 
Chronicle,' 'Observer,' 'Courier,' 'Clipper,' 'Wilkes' Spirit.' 
' Turf, Field and Farm,' ' Police Gazette,' 'La Crosse Democrat' 
'Ledger' 'New York Weekly' 'Literary Album,' 'Sunday 
Times' 'New Yorker Democrat,' 'Commonwealth' 'Scottish 
American,' 'Freeman's Journal,' ' 1 ablet,' 'Emerald,' 'Irish 
American,' 'Irish People,' etc., etc. Truly a power in the 
world." 




View op Wall Steeet- 



CHAPTER XL 

WALL STREET. 

If you pass down Broadway to the main entrance to 
Trinity Church, and then turn abruptly to your left and cruss 
tbe street, you will find yourself at the head of Wall street, 
the great financial centre of America. It is a narrow street, 
extending from Broadway to East river, and lined with hand- 
some brown stone, marble, and granite buildings. Scarcely 
a house has less than a score of offices within its walls, and 
some have very near three times that number. Space is 
very valuable in Wall street, and some of the leading firms 
in it have to content themselves with a narrow, small, dark 
hole, which a conscientious man would hardly call an office. 
The rent demanded for these "offices" is enormous, and the 
buildings bring their owners princely fortunes every year. 
The houses are all covered with signs, the names on which 
one will immediately recognize as famous in the financial 
world. The streets running into Wall street, for the distance 
of one or two blocks, on the right hand and the left, are also 
occupied with the offices of bankers and brokers, and are 
included in the general term, " Wall street," or " the street." 

ITS HISTOEY. 

Wall street has always been famous in the history of New 
York. It was originally used as a sheep pasture. Its 
natural condition being partly rolling upland and partly 
meadow of a swampy character. The name of the street 

141 



142 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

originated thus: In 1653, the Dutch settlers, being threat- 
ened with an attack by their New England neighbors, 
resolved to fortify the town by constructing a wall or stock- 
ade across the island just beyond the northern limits of the 
settlement. The line selected was drawn across the old 
sheep pasture. In the course of a few years, the anticipated 
hostilities having passed over, the settlers began to build 
houses along the line of the city wall, and the new street, 
when laid off, received by common consent the name of "the 
Wall street," which it has since borne. The wall, having 
('alien into decay, was demolished about the year 1699, and 
the stones were used in building the first City Hall, which, 
stood at what is now the corner of Nassau and Wall streets, 
the site of the Sub-Treasury of to-day. This building Avas 
"used for the various purposes of the city government until 
the close of the Revolution. It contained, besides the coun- 
cil and court rooms, a fire engine room, a jail for the deten- 
tion and punishment of criminals, and a debtors' prison, 
which was located in the attic, a cage, and a pillory. A pair 
of stocks were set up on the opposite side of the street, 
wherein criminals were exposed to the indignant gaze of a 
virtuous public. 

After the close of the Revolution, the building was en- 
larged and improved for the use of the Federal Government. 
The first Congress of the United States assembled within its 
walls in the year 1769, and upon its spacious portico George 
Washington took the oath to support and defend the Con- 
stitution, as President of the United States. 

The street was originally taken up with private residences, 
but at length monetary institutions commenced to find their 
way into it. The Bank of New York was located here in 
1791, at the corner of William street. Other institutions, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 143 

and private bankers, soon followed it, and the' work of im- 
provement went on until the street of to-day is the result. 
Famous lawyers have also had their offices in this street. 
Alexander Hamilton's sign might once have been seen here, 
not far from where his humble monument now stands in 
Trinity churchyard, and the name of Caleb Cushing is now 
to be found just a little below Broadway. 

The street fairly began its present career in the days of 
Jacob Little, " the great bear of Wall street." He opened 
an office here in 1822, and, in twelve years, by dine of such 
labor as few men are capable of performing, placed himself 
at the head of American operators. His credit was good for 
any amount, for his integrity was unimpeachable. He could 
sway the market as he pleased, and his contracts were met 
with a punctuality and fidelity which made "his word as 
good as his bond." Efforts were made to ruin him, but his 
genius and far-sightedness enabled him to defeat all his 
enemies with their own weapons. His gains were enormous, 
and so were his losses. He met the latter cheerfully. The 
late war, however, brought his reverses so rapidly upon him 
that he had not the time to meet one before another stared 
him in the face. Still, he was calm and undismayed. He 
gave up his last dollar without repining, saying that he 
would willingly sacrifice even life itself for the perpetuity of 
the Union and the Constitution. He died early in the year 
1861, honored by all, and leaving his life an example to 
those of us who are left behind him. He was a devout 
member of the Episcopal Church, but he extended his chari 
ties, which, though quiet, were unusually large, to all denom- 
inations. 

THE SUB-TREASURY. 

The Sub-Treasury is a handsome white marble building, 



144 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

located at the corner of Wall and "Nassau streets. The 
Treasury is built in the Doric style of architecture, and its 
massive flight of steps and handsome portico present a 
striking appearance. It is built in the most substantial 
manner, and has an entrance at the rear on Pine street. The 
interior is tastefully arranged, and massive iron gratings pro- 
tect the employees from surprise and robbery. The vaults 
are burglar-proof. This is the principal depository of the 
Government, and millions of dollars are always in its vaults. 

THE CUSTOM HOUSE. 

The Custom House was built for and formerly used as the 
Merchants' Exchange. It is situated at the corner of Wall 
and William streets, and is a large, handsome, granite edifice. 
The colonade at the front entrance and the rotunda are* well 
worth seeing. 

BANKING HOUSES. 

Just below the Custom House is the handsome marble 
building of Brown Brothers, bankers, one of the model houses 
of New York, as regards both the firm and the edifice. The 
Messrs. Brown are regarded as the most reliable and accom- 
plished operators in the street. Across the way, in a dingy 
granite building, is the office of August Belmont & Co., the 
American agents of the Rothschilds, and bankers on their own 
account. Jay Cooke & Co. occupy the fine marble building 
at the corner of Wall and Nassau streets, opposite the 
Treasury, and there conduct the New York branch of their 
enormous business. Fisk & Hatch, the financial agents of 
the great Pacific Railway, are a few steps higher up Nassau 
street. Henry Clews k Co. are in the building occupied by 
the United States Assay Office. Other firms, of more or less 
eminence, fill the street. Some have fine, showy offices, 
others operate in dark, dingy holes. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 145 

THE STOCK EXCHANGE. 

The Stock Exchange is located on Broad street, to the 
south of Wall street. It is a fine white marble edifice, ex- 
tending back to New street, which is also taken up with 
brokers' offices. There is an entrance on Wall street, but the 
main building is on Broad street. It contains the "Long 
Room," the "The New York Stock Exchange," the "Mining 
Board," the now obsolete "Petroleum Board," and the "Gov- 
ernment Board." All sorts of stocks are bought and sold in 
this building. " Erie " and "Pacific Mail" are the most attrac- 
tive to the initiated, and the most disastrous as well. 

The Chamber of the Board of Stock Brokers is a large, 
handsomely furnished apartment, somewhat like a lecture 
room in appearance. Each broker has a seat assigned to him. 
Outsiders are not admitted to the sessions of Jae board, but 
any one may communicate with a member by handing his 
card to the doorkeeper, who will at once call out the gentle- 
man. The sessions of the Board are presided over by a Presi- 
dent, but the work is done by a Vice-President, who from 
ten o'clock until one, calls over the list of stocks, and de- 
clares the sales. Each day a list of stocks to be put in the 
market is made out, and no others can be sold during the 
sessions. The Board has the right to refuse to offer any 
stocks for sale, and a guarantee is required of the party 
making the sale. The members of the Board are men of cha- 
racter, and their transactions are fair and open. They are 
required to fulfil all contracts in good faith, however grsat 
the loss to themselves, on pain of expulsion from the Board, 
and an expelled member cannot be reinstated. The entrance 
fee is three thousand dollars. Persons wishing to become 
members are required to make their applications at certain 
times. This is publicly announced, and if. any one can bring 
9 



146 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

and sustain an accusation affecting the integrity of the appli- 
cant, he is not admitted. 

Ordinarily the sale of the stocks offered, proceeds in a 
monotonous, humdrum manner, but when "Erie," or "Pa- 
cific Mail," or any other favorite stock is called, each man 
springs to his feet. Bids come fast and furious, hands, arms, 
hats, and canes are waved frantically overhead to attract the 
attention of the presiding officer. The most intense excite- 
ment prevails throughout the room, and the shouts and cries 
are deafening. Sales are made with the utmost rapidity, and 
the excitement is kept up at the highest point as long as any 
thing of interest is offered. If a sale is contested, the presi- 
dent names the purchaser, and his decision is final, unless 
revoked by an instantaneous vote of the Board. 

THE OPEN BOARD. 

The Open Board of Stock Brokers meet in the second story 
of a handsome brown stone building adjoining the Stock Ex- 
change. Their sessions are from ten until one. The busi- 
ness of the Board is similar to that of the Stock Exchange, 
and is dispatched with as much precision, quickness, and 
clamor. 

THE GOLD ROOM. 

Descending from Broad street to the basement of the build- 
ing used by the " Open Board," we find ourselves in a long, 
dimly lighted passage-way, which leads us into a small court- 
yard. As we emerge into this yard, we hear a confused hum 
above our heads, which grows louder as we ascend the steep 
stairway before us. Passing through a narrow, dirty entry, 
we open a side door, and our ears fairly ache with the yells 
and shrieks with which we are startled. For a moment we 
think we are about to enter a company of lunatics, but we 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 147 

pass on reassured, and the next instant stand in the Gold 
Eoora. 

This is a handsome apartment, in the style of an amphi- 
theatre, with a fountain in the centre. A gallery runs around 
the upper part, and several telegraph offices are connected 
with the room. There are but few benches. The members 
of the Board are always too much excited to sit, and seats are 
only in the way. Though the main entrance is on Broadway, 
the Gold Eoom really fronts on New street. During the 
sessions of the Board, it is filled with an excited, yelling 
crowd, rushing about wildly, and, to a stranger, without any 
apparent aim. The men stamp, yell, shake their arms, heads, 
and bodies violently, and almost trample each other to death 
in the violent struggle. Men, who in private life excite the 
admiration of their friends and acquaintances by the repose 
and dignity of their manner, here lose their self possession en- 
tirely, and are more like maniacs than sensible beings. 

Few members of either the Stock or Gold Boards operate 
for themselves. They generally buy and sell for outside par- 
ties, from whom they require a guarantee at the outset, and 
charge a fair commission on the sale for their services. Mem 
bers have confidence in each other, for they know that no 
one can afford to be dishonest. Expulsion and financial ruin 
and disgrace are the swift and inflexible punishments of bad 
faith. 

There are many persons, whose transactions in the stock 
and gold markets amount to millions of dollars each ' year, 
who cannot enter these boards as members. They are re- 
garded as unsafe, and their petitions are invariably rejected. 
They usually operate through regular members. 



148 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

CURBSTONE BROKERS. 
Any one who can pay one hundred dollars a year for the 
privilege, is allowed to operate in the "Long Eoora," as the 
lower floor of the Stock Exchange is called. His capital 
may be one, one hundred, or one thousand dollars, but if he 
pays his dues regularly, no one is allowed to molest him. 
No rules or regulations bind these operators. The honest 
man and the rogue mingle freely together. Persons dealing 
with them have no guarantee of their good faith, and must 
look out for rough treatment at their hands. They overflow 
the hall, crowd the steps and sidewalks, and extend out into 
the street. From this circumstance they are termed "curb- 
stone brokers," a name which will probably cling to them. 
A few of these operators are men of integrity, who being 
unable to enter the regular boards, are compelled to conduct 
their business in this way. They have regular places of 
business in some of the neighboring streets, and are as fair 
and upright in their dealings as any member of either of the 
boards; but the great majority are simply sharpers, men 
who will not meet their losses, and who will fleece any one, 
who falls into their hands, out of his last cent. 

STOCK GAMBLING. 

It has been remarked that the men who do business in 
Wall street have a prematurely old look, and that they die at 
a comparatively early age. This is not strange. They live 
too fast. Their bodies and minds are taxed too severely 'to 
last long. They pass their days in a state of great excite- 
ment. Every little fluctuation of the market elates or de- 
presses them to a fearful extent, even though they may not 
be conscious of it at the time. At night they are either plan- 
ning the next day's campaign, or hard at work at the hotels 




United States Sub-Treasury. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 149 

On Sunday their minds are still on their business, and some 
are to be seen hard at work in their offices, where they think 
they are safe from observation. Body and mind are worked 
too hard, and are given no rest. 

The chief cause of all this intense excitement, is the uncer- 
tainty which attends such operations. No man can tell one 
week whether he will be a beggar or a millionaire the next, 
the chances being decidedly in favor of the former. Nine 
out of ten who speculate in stocks or gold, lose. Like all 
gamblers, they are undismayed by their first reverse, and ven- 
ture a second time. They lose again, and to make their loss 
good venture a third time, risking in the end their last dollar. 
The fascination of stock gambling is equal to that of the card 
table, and holds its victims with an iron hand. The only safe 
rule for those who wish to grow rich, is to keep out of Wall 
street. While one man makes a fortune by a sudden rise in 
stocks or gold, one thousand are ruined. Even the soundest 
and best established firms fall with a crash under these sudden 
reverses. The safest are those who buy and sell on commis- 
sion. If the profits go to other parties, in such cases, the 
losses fall upon outsiders also, so that undei all circumstances 
a legitimate commission business is the safest, as well as the 
most profitable in the end. This is proved by the fact that 
there are very few old firms in "the street." Ilouses sup- 
posed to be well established are failing every day, and new 
ones springing up to take their places. Nothing is certain in 
Wall street, and we repeat it, it is best to avoid it. Invest 
your money in something more stable than speculations in 
stocks. 

A KEEN GAME. 

Some years ago, the famous Jacob Little resolved to bring 
down the market value of Erie stock, which was then selling 



150 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

readily at par. He contracted with certain parties to deliver 
to them an unusually large amount of this stock on a certain 
day. A combination was immediately formed in the street 
to ruin him. The parties concerned in this league took his 
contracts as fast as they were offered, and bought up all the 
stock in the market. In doing this, they firmly believed they 
were placing all this paper to be had out of the reach of Mr. 
Little, who would be ruined by being unable to deliver the 
stock at the time, and in the quantities agreed upon. His 
friends shook their heads ominously, and declared that his 
enemies had been "one too many" for him this time; but the 
"Great Bear," as he was called, kept his own counsel. When 
the day for the delivery of the stock arrived, his enemies 
were jubilant, and all Wall street was in a fever of excite- 
ment; but he was as calm and as smiling as ever. Eepairing 
to the office of the Erie Railway Company he laid before the 
astonished officers of the road a number of certificates of in- 
debtedness. The faith of the Company was pledged to redeem 
these certificates with stock, upon presentation. Mr. Little 
demanded a compliance with this contract. The Company 
could not refuse him, and the stock was issued to him. With 
it he met his contracts promptly. The result was fearful to 
his enemies. This sudden and unexpected issue of new stock 
brought "Erie" down with a rush, and the sharp-witted oper- 
ators who had bought either at par or at a premium, sc lely to 
ruin their great rival, were ruined themselves, almost to a man. 

A "DEAR" SALE. 

But a short while ago, a house in Wall Street, which had 
ventured too far in its speculations, failed. It settled its lia- 
bilities honestly, but had not a penny left. One of the partners 
had used U. S. bonds to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 151 

belonging to a relative, and these had been swept away. 
Whether for the purpose of replacing this amount, or for his 
own benefit, the broker resolved to get possession of a similar 
amount in bonds at once. The failure of his house had not 
become generally known, and he determined to lose no time 
in his operations. 

Proceeding to the office of a well known house, one morning 
just as business hours opened, he asked for fifteen thousand 
dollars worth of Government bonds, and offered the cheque 
of his firm in payment for them. Being well and favorably 
known to the parties, his request (which was based upon the 
falsehood that he wished the bonds to fill an order for a 
countryman who was in a hurry to leave town, and that he 
had not the amount in his own safe), was complied with. The 
bonds were delivered to him, and his cheque taken in pay- 
ment. He at once departed, and the banker, feeling no un- 
easiness at the transaction, did not send the cheque to bank 
at once. Several hours passed away, and he heard rumors of 
the failure of the house to which he had sold the bonds. The 
cheque was at once sent to the bank ; payment was refused, 
on the ground that the house had failed, and had no funds in 
the bank. The fraud was plain now, and the banker, repair- 
ing to the office of the unfortunate firm, was informed by the 
partner of his friend that the transaction was a swindle. The 
detectives were at once set on the track of the swindler, who 
had made his escape immediately after getting possession of 
the bonds. 

HOW FORTUNES ARE MADE AND LOST. 
Fortunes are made quicker and lost more easily in New 
York than in any other place in the world. A sudden rise 
in stock, or a lucky speculation in some other venture, often 



152 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

places a comparatively poor man in possession of great wealth. 
Watch the carriages as they whirl through Fifth Avenue, 
going and returning from the Park. They are as elegant and 
sumptuous as wealth can make them. The owners, lying back 
amongst the soft cushions, are clad in the height of fashion. 
By their dresses they might be princes and princesses. This 
much is due to art. Now mark the coarse, rough features, the 
ill-bred stare, the haughty rudeness which they endeavor to 
palm off for dignity. Do you see any difference between them 
and the footman in livery on the carriage-box ? Both master 
and man belong to the same class — only one is wealthy and the 
other is not. But that footman may take the place of the 
master in a couple of years, or in less time. Such changes 
may seem remarkable, but they are very common in New 
York. 

See that gentleman driving that splendid pair of sorrels. 
He is a fine specimen of mere animal beauty. How well he 
drives. The ease and carelessness with which he manages hi3 
splendid steeds, excites the admiration of every one on the 
road. He is used to it. Five years ago he was the driver of 
a public hack. He amassed a small sum of money, and being 
naturally a sharp, shrewd man, went into Wall street, and 
joined the "Curbstone Brokers." His transactions were not 
always open to a rigid scrutiny, but they were profitable to 
him. He invested in oil stocks, and with his usual good luck 
made a fortune. Now he operates through his broker. His 
transactions are heavy, his speculations bold and daring, but 
he is usually successful. He lives in great splendor in one of 
the finest mansions in the city, and his carriages and horses 
are superb. His wife and daughters are completely carried 
away by their good fortune, and look with disdain upon all 
who are not their equals or superiors in wealth. They are 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 153 

vulgar and ill bred, but they are wealthy, and society worships 
them. There will come a change some day. The husband 
and father will venture once too often in his speculations, and 
his magnificent fortune will go with a crash, and the family 
will return to their former state, or perhaps sink lower, for 
there are very few men who have the moral courage to try to 
rise again after such a fall, and this man is not one of them. 

In watching the crowd on Broadway, one will frequently 
see, in some shabbily dressed individual, who, with his hat 
drawn down close over his eyes, is evidently shrinking from 
the possibility of being recognized, the man who but a few 
weeks ago was one of the wealthiest in the city. Then he 
was surrounded with splendor. Now he hardly knows where 
to get bread for his family, Then he lived in an elegant 
mansion. Now one or two rooms on the upper floor of some 
tenement house constitute his habitation. He shrinks from 
meeting his old friends, well knowing that not one of them 
will recognize him, except to insult him with a scornful stare. 
Families are constantly disappearing from the social circles 
in which they have shone for a greater or less time. They 
vanish almost in an instant, and are never seen again. You 
may meet them at some brilliant ball in the evening. Pass 
their residence the next day, and you will see a bill announc- 
ing the early sale of the mansion and furniture. The worldly 
effects of the family are all in the hands of the creditors of the 
" head," and the family themselves are either in a more modest 
home in the country, or in a tenement house. You can scarcely 
walk twenty blocks on Fifth Avenue, without seeing one of 
these bills, telling its mournful story of fallen greatness. 

The best and safest way to be rich in New York, as else- 
where, is for a man to confine himself to his legitimate business. 
Few men acquire wealth suddenly. Ninety-nine fail where 



154 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

one succeeds. The bane of New York commercial life, how- 
ever, is that people have not the patience to wait for fortune. 
Every one wants to be rich in a hurry, and as no regular 
business will accomplish this, here or elsewhere, speculation 
is resorted to. The sharpers and tricksters who infest Wall 
Street, know this weakness of New York merchants. They 
take the pains to inform themselves as to the character, means, 
and credulity of merchants, and then use every art to draw 
them into speculations, in which the tempter is enriched and 
the tempted ruined. In nine cases out of ten a merchant is 
utterly ignorant of the nature of the speculation he engages 
in. lie is not capable of forming a reasonable opinion as to 
its propriety, or chance of success, because the whole trans- 
action is so rapid that he has no chance to study it. He leaves 
a business in which he has acquired valuable knowledge and 
experience, and trusts himself to the mercy of a man he knows 
little or nothing of, and undertakes an operation that he does 
not know how to manage. Dabbling in speculations unfits 
men for their regular pursuits. They come to like the excite- 
ment of such ventures, and rush on madly in their mistaken 
course, hoping to make up their losses by one lucky specula- 
tion, and at length utter ruin rouses them from their dreams. 

Although New York is the chief business centre of the 
country, fortunes are made here slowly and steadily. Great 
wealth is the accumulation of years. Such wealth brings 
with it honor and prosperity. One who attains it honestly, 
has fairly won the proud title of "merchant;" but few are 
willing to pursue the long life of toil necessary to attain it. 
They make fifty thousand dollars legitimately, and then the 
; nsane desire seizes them to double this amount in a day. 
Nine lose every thing where one makes his fortune. 

The reason is plain. The speculation in stocks is controlled 



THE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 155 

by men without principle, whose only object is to enrich 
themselves at the expense of their victims. The Herald 
recently presented the following picture of the transactions in 
the stock market : 

" Within the past few days we have seen the most gigantic 
swindling operations carried on in Wall street that have as 
yet disgraced our financial centre. A great railway — one of 
the two that connect the West with the Atlantic seaboard, 
i has been tossed about like a football, its real stockholders 
have seen their property abused by men to whom they have 
entrusted its interests, and who, in the betrayal of that trust, 
have committed crimes which in parallel cases on a smaller 
scale would have deservedly sent them to Sing Sing. If 
these parties go unwhipped of justice, then are we doing in- 
justice in confining criminals in our State prisons for smaller 
crimes. 

" To such a disgusting degree of depravity do we see those 
stock operations carried that members of the Church of high 
standing offer, when 'cornered,' to betray their brother 
'pals,' and, in their forgetfulness of the morality to which 
they .sanctimoniously listen every Sunday, state that ' all 
they care about is to look out for 'number one.' A manager 
of a great corporation is requested to issue bond? of his com- 
pany without authority, offering 'to buy the bonds if you are 
caught, or buy the bonds with the understanding not to pay 
for them unless you are caught.' This attempted fiscal ope- 
ration, however, did not work, and resulted in a good proof 
of the old adage that it requires ' a rogue to catch a rogue.' 

" A railroad treasurer boldly states that he has without 
authority over-issued stock of the company to a large amount. 
He offers it to a broker for sale, with the understanding that 
all received over a fixed value is to go into his (the treasurer's) 



156 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

pocket From the fact that this man is not arrested for mal- 
administration of the company's property we judge this to be 
a legitimate operation, and that this may hereafter serve as a 
model or standard of morals to all presidents, directors, treas- 
urers and managers of railway and other great corporations. 
It is evident that the world has made a great mistake on the 
question of morals, and that as we progress in civilization 
with our modern Wall street system of ethics we shall be able 
to have a new and more exact translation of the Bible — Wall 
street edition — for the benefit of stock gamblers and stock 
thieves of all descriptions. Upon the great banking house 
facing Wall street we will have in letters of gold upon a 
green back-ground the following commandments: 

"1. Steal largely or not all; for is it not preached in Go- 
tham that he who steals largely and gives donations to the 
Church shall enter the kingdom of heaven, while to him who 
confines his stealings to modest peculations shall be opened 
the doors of Sing Sing ? 

"2. Steal largely ! for in proportion to the magnitude of 
thy stealings shalt thou prosper and wax respectable through- 
out Gotham. 

" 3. Steal largely ! for as ye steal so shall ye show your 
fitness for the high places in the land ; so shall ye be invited 
to exercise your talents in the numerous positions of trust 
and profit thereby; so shall ye add honor and glory to the 
government of your fathers, and your days shall be long in 
the land. 

" 4. Steal largely ! for by thy stealings shalt thou create a 
new morality; and so shalt thou build up a great people who 
shall prosper beyond all other nations. 

" This is the new code we offer— a code taught to us by the 
times and by the facts that assail us. When we see an 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 157 

honest' Judge ' Iago' rise from his bed at midnight to 
pander to the contemptible rascality of stock thieves we have 
but little hope for even what we dignify by the name of law. 
When we see our churches allowing a host of gamblers to 
gather for false worship at their shrines and pander to them, 
that they may share their plunder for the 'benefit of the 
Lord,' we have still less hope in our future. When we see 
great criminals respected and lesser criminals imprisoned we 
believe that the American mind is sadly out of a proper 
moral pathway. 

"The operations now carried on in Wall street, be they of 
any stock, or of gold, call for the interference of some power 
sufficient to crush them. If the City or the State is power- 
less, let the general government take the matter in hand for 
the general good. Take gold, for example. There are not 
over two millions of the solid coin used as a basis foi the 
operations which in a single month represent a sum twice the 
amount of our national debt. The harpies who gather around 
the Gold Rooms in their mad shoutings are at the same time 
shouting 'Death to the republic!' They unsettle alt values, 
and are, as a mass, a public calamity, and should be dealt 
with as such. As with gold, so with stocks, and no nation 
can long afford to let' its future hang upon the will of a mass 
of unprincipled men who daily bleed its prosperity beyond 
all calculation." 

These things are well known in New York, but no one 
heeds them. Each one thinks he is shrewd enough to avoid 
the dangers which have ruined otners, and only discovers his 
mistake when it is too late to repair it. Men of all classes, 
even ministers of the Gospel, and frequently women, rush into 
Wall street in pursuit of sudden wealth, where, to use an old 
adage, " if they are not gored to death by the Bulls, they are 
sure to be devoured by the Bears." 



158 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Persons who wish to suooeed in New York or elsewhere, 
should shun speculation. Legitimate business offers brilliant 
rewards here, but speculation means ruin. If you wish this 
assertion enforced, go into Stewart's or Claflin's stores, and see 
hew many salesmen on small salaries yen will find there who 

were once wealthy merchants doing business on their own 
acoount. They succeeded in their Legitimate pursuits, but 
were not satisfied with their success. They wanted more, 
cotnmeneed speculating, and Lost everything. Men to succeed 
here inn it be energetic, cautious, enterprising, and economical. 

BOGUS STOCK com pa mks. 

On fine afternoons visitors to the Park do not fail to notice 

B handsome equipage driven by a stylish young man, with 
rosy cheeks and light curly hair. His face is the perfect pic- 
ture of happy innocence. He is very wealthy, and owns a 
great (leal of real estate in the city. The manner in which 
he made his money will show how other persons enrich them- 
selves. 

A fisfW years ago he. in company with several others, or- 
! a scheme for working certain gold mines said to be 
located in a distant territory. A company was made up, the 
country was Hooded with (iaming descriptions of the valuable 
mine, and stock was issued which sold readily. The bonds 
were soon taken up, and in a month or two the so-called com- 
pany commenced paying handsome dividends. A number of 
gold bars, bearing the stamp of the mint, were on exhibition 
in the company's office, and were triumphantly exhibited as 
amongst the first yields of the valuable mine. For several 
months the dividends were paid regularly, and the company's 
stock rose to a splendid premium. It could hardly be bought 
»t any price. No one doubted for an instant the genuineness 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 15'J 

of the affair, and the lucky company was the envy of all 
Wall street. 

In a few months, all the stock being disposed of, the com- 
pany ceased paying dividends. This excited the suspicion of 
some of the shrewdest holders of the stock, and the affair was 
investigated. It was found that the wonderful mine had no 
real existence. The gold bars were simply gold coins melted 
into that form at the Mint, and stamped by the Government 
as so much bullion. The dividends had been paid out of 
money advanced by the company, who were simply half a 
dozen unprincipled sharpers. The stockholders were ruined, 
but the company made a profit of a clear half million of dol- 
lars out of the infamous transaction. Legal proceedings are 
expensive and tedious when instituted against such parties, 
and the stockholders, rather than increase their losses by the 
outlay necessary for a lawsuit, suffered the swindlers to go 
unmolested. 

A certain stockbroker, anxious to increase his wealth, pur- 
chased twenty acres of land a few years ago in one of the 
Western States, and commenced boring for oil. After a few 
weeks spent in this work, he discovered to his dismay that 
there was not the slightest trace of oil on his land. He kept 
his own counsel, however, and paid the workmen to hold their 
tongues. About the same time it became rumored through- 
out New York that he had struck oil. He at once organized 
a company, and had a committee appointed to go West and 
examine the well. In a few weeks the committee returned 
in high glee, and reported that the well contained oil of the 
very best quality, and only needed capital and improved ma 
chinery to develop its capacity. In support of this assertion 
they brought home numerous bottles containing specimens of 
the oil. This report settled the matter in Wall street, and the 



160 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

stock issued by the company was all sold at a handsome 
premium. When the sales ceased, it was rumored that the 
well had ceased flowing. This was true. There was no oil 
anywhere on the land. That in the well had been bought in 
Pennsylvania and poured into the well by the agents of the 
owner, and the examining committee had been paid large 
sums for their favorable report. The owner of the well was 
enriched, as were his confederates of the bogus company, and 
the holders of the stock were swindled, many of them being 
ruined. 

A PETROLEUM PRINCE. 

We take the following from a work recently published in 
Paris. It contains the observations of an intelligent French 
gentleman during a residence in New York: 

"An Irishman, thirty years ago, arrived in Philadelphia. 
He was a mason by trade, industrious and sober, which is not 
often the case with natives of the Emerald Isle. He managed 
to save a few hundred dollars, and then married. 

"He had enjoyed the blessings of matrimony over ten 
years, when, on going to his work, early one morning, he 
found, a short distance from his house, a basket covered with 
a linen cloth. lie carried it home, opened it, and a handsome 
baby appeared before his view. To the child's clothes was 
pinned a paper bearing a few lines, asking, in the name of the 
Almighty, the person into whose hands the basket might fall, 
to take charge of the new-born infant, for the sake of a poor 
fellow-creature. The Irishman and his wife, not having any 
children, at once adopted the little one, regarding it as a gift 
sent by Providence. A few years later, the Irishman, who 
had by his savings amassed quite a handsome sum of money, 
purchased a small farm in a thinly settled county pf Pennsyl- 
vania, and there lived quietly and contentedly, until, one day, 



THE SECRETS OF TEE GREAT CITY. 161 

in cutting down a tree, it fell upon him, and he was crushed 
to death beneath its weight. After this sad occurrence, his 
widow, with the help of the adopted child, carried on the 
business of the farm, often regretting she could not give the 
boy an education ; but they were so far from any school, she 
could not think of sending her son such a distance from home. 

" One day a rumor circulated throughout Pennsylvania that, 
by boring into the earth to a moderate depth, in some parts 
of the State, oil was found to spring io±th. Startling as this 
rumor was, many persons were forced to believe it, when they 
saw, with their own eyes, a black liquid, giving a bright 
light, issuing from certain holes bored for experiment. After 
this, all persons began experimenting on their own property. 
The Irish widow imitated her neighbors, and with the help 
of her adopted son, bored a hole in her garden. After a few 
day's work, they struck oil — a flowing well rewarded their 
enterprise ! 

"Meanwhile speculators, wild with the excitement of this 
discovery, besieged Pennsylvania, and that State soon swarmed 
with them. The desire to possess a portion of those marvel- 
lous lands took possession of every mind. Throughout the 
States every one was affected with the new disease, denomi- 
nated 'oil on the brain;' and soon the value of the oleaginous 
districts went up to wonderful figures. In many instances, as 
much as fifty thousand dollars were paid for an acre of land. 
And, availing herself of the general infatuation, the Irish 
widow sold her farm, for two millions of dollars, to a Boston 
company, which thought it was very cheap to give not quite 
seven thousand dollars per acre for petroleum land. The 
til ree hundred acres of the widow's farm had cost three hun- 
dred dollars a few years before, that is to say, one dollar an 
acre ! Besides the two millions of dollars, the Irish widow 
10 



162 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

had stipulated that one half of the flowing well in her garden 
should belong to her. That well yielded from five to six 
hundred barrels of oil per day. You may be sure the old 
lady doted on it. She visited it a hundred times a day, 
always surveying it with amazement, and ascertaining whether 
it. was as productive as ever. Even at night she left her bed 
to go and view the marvellous spring. During one of these 
nocturnal excursions, she imprudently drew too near the well 
with a light — the spring fired up with lightning-like rapidity, 
and the poor woman, becoming wrapped in the flames, was 
burned to death. The coroner was summoned to hold an 
inquest. When it was over, the widow's neighbors, desiring 
to ascertain whether she had sold her farm for as large an 
amount as was rumored, prevailed upon the coroner to open 
her safe. It contained two hundred thousand dollars in gold, 
which, no doubt, represented the widow's profits for her re- 
served rights in the well; and also bonds of the United States 
to the amount of two millions of dollars, the said bonds regis- ' 
tered in the name of Peter Crazy, the widow's adopted son, 
and only heir and legatee, according to her will, that was also 
found in the strong-box. 

"Now, the young man, whose large stakes a few' minutes 
ago caused such a sensation, is the same Peter Crazy, the 
widow's adopted son; and he came here to-night to complete 
his ruin. But I must now relate what became of him after 
becoming possessed of a princely fortune. 

"At the time he came into possession of this fortune, Crazy 
did not know the difference between one thousand and one 
hundred thousand dollars. He could hardly write his name; 
and, unfortunately, he had nobody to warn him against the 
dangers that beset the youth of this world, and to make of 
him, instead of a spendthrift, a man useful to society. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 1G3 

"Suppose a philanthropist, a good -hearted, high minded 
man, should suddenly come into possession of two millions of 
dollars, what a benefactor he might prove to his fellow-crea- 
tures! What useful and benevolent institutions he might 
found ! What improvement might every branch of human 
labor receive if he chose to apply to it a portion of his wealth. 

"As soon as it became known that Crazy had inherited a 
large fortune, many adventurers, with whom the new Eldo- 
rado swarmed, pounced upon him like birds of prey upon a 
carcass ; and then commenced for Crazy a life of prodigality 
and vice, the end of which is near at hand. 

" In Philadelphia, he stopped with his cronies at one of the 
most elegant and spacious hotels of the city, stipulating for 
the exclusive use of it during their stay. He bought nm* 
horses, carriages of the most approved pattern, and furnished 
a maison de pie, where he reveled every night. Many Phila- 
delphians will long remember his daily freaks of extrava 
gance. I will relate one as a sample of the others. One day 
as a regiment stopped in the city on its way to the West, he 
presented it with one thousand baskets of champagne — one 
basket to each man — a piece of liberality that cost him twen 
ty-five thousand dollars. After spending half a million dol 
lars in the Quaker City, he came to New York in search ol 
new excitements. 

" Here he met witu persons who aroused a new feeling m 
his mind — that of pride. Those capitalists and speculators 
who drive their fancy teams in Central Park, who keep race- 
horses, who do their best to resuscitate the fine old times of 
France under the Eegency, were not, he was told, as wealthy 
as himself. He was bound to live in style, lest he should be 
taken for a shoddy contractor, who does not know how to 
spend his noney. Crazy, therefore, imitated the leaders of 



1G4 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

fashion— but in the same way European wood-cutters are 
imitated by Australasian savages, who, when they cut down 
a tree, wait for its fall until they are crushed by its weight. 
He kept as many as forty horses ; bet heavily at the races, 

-* every time; and hired a theatrical troupe, whom he 
provided with costly costumes, and who played only for 

If and a few friends. One night he was so delighted 
with the saltatory skill and pirouettes of the dancing-girls of 
his troupe, that lie presented each of them, with a graceful- 
1 ess of maimer that Buckingham himself would have envied, 
pearls and diamonds worth over one hundred thousand dol- 
lars. In short, for a year, he indulged in all conceivable dis- 

ons. But Providence has in store for him one of those 
visitations that, from time to time, startle and instruct the 
world. 

" Crazy believes his main income can never be impaired. 
Besides the one hundred thousand dollars he has in his 
pocket — the last of the money found in the Irish widow's 
strong-box — he fancies he possesses inexhaustible means in 
i well. On returning, he will learn that that source of 
wealth is dried up, and his only fortune consists of the fifty- 
>ats he has purchased inside of the past month." 



CHAPTEB XII. 

BUSINESS IN NEW YORK. 

The legitimate business of New York is greater than ili.it 
of any other place in America. The city being the chief 
centre of our commerce, offers the greatest advantages of any 
in the land to persons engaged in trade. Merchants at a dis- 
tance buy whatever they can here, because they like to visit 
the place, and can thus unite business with pleasure. Two 
or three millions of strangers annually visit New York, and 
while here expend large amounts in purchases. People in 
other parts of the country attach an additional value to an 
article because it was purchased in the great city. Besides 
this, one is apt to find the best article in the market here, as 
it is but natural that the chief centre of wealth should draw 
to it the best talent in the arts and trades. 

Merchants from the provinces like the liberal and enter- 
prising spirit which characterizes the dealings of New York 
merchants. They can buy here on better terms than else- 
where, and their relations with the merchants 01 this city are 
generally satisfactory and pleasant. 

Every thing in New York gives way to business. Private 
neighborhoods disappear every year, and long lines of 
magnificent warehouses take the places of the comfortable 
old mansions of other days. There is now scarcely a respect- 
able neighborhood for residences below Fourth street. The 
business of the community is steadily advancing up the 
island. The lower part of the city is being taken up with 

165 



166 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

wholesale and commission houses and manufacturers. The 
retail men are constantly going up higher. Broadway now 
has scarcely a residence along its entire length ; Washington 
Square, Waverley and Clinton Places, and even Fifth Avenue 
below Twenty-third street, are being rapidly invaded by 
business houses. 

Enterprise, energy, and talent, distinguish the business of 
this city. A man capable of acquiring a fortune can acquire 
it here more readily than elsewhere, but he must have 
patience. The world was not made in a day, and fortune 
comes slowly, but it comes surely to the man who will work 
faithfully and patiently for it. 

EXAMPLES. 

The Harpers and Appletons, who stand at the head of the 
book trade in New York, began as poor boys, and worked 
their way up to fortune slowly and patiently. Cornelius 
Vanderbilt was a poor boatman. Daniel Drew was a drover. 
A. T. Stewart an humble, struggling shop-keeper. One of 
the most noted bank presidents of the city began by blacking 
a pair of boots. He did his work well. These are noted in- 
stances, but there are thousands of merchants in the city 
doing comfortable businesses, some of whom will be million- 
aires, who began poor and friendless. They have worked 
faithfully and patiently, and their lives are examples to all 
beginners. 

REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS. 

Many capitalists have made their fortunes by successful 
operations in real estate. This must not be classed with 
itions in bonds or stocks. Of course, one may be 
cheated in buying real estate, as well as in any other pur- 
chase; but as a general rule, he who invests his money in 



T1IE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 167 

houses or lands, gets the full value of it. The rapid growth 
of the city has increased the value of property in the upper 
sections at an amazing rate, and has made the fortune of 
every one who held land in those sections. The Astors, A. 
T. Stewart, Claflin, Vanderbilt, Drew, and hundreds of 
others who were wise enough to foresee and believe in the 
future of New York, have made handsome fortunes on the 
investments made by them a few years ago. 

In 1860 a gentleman purchased a handsome house in a 
fashionable neighborhood. It was a corner house, and 
fronted on Fifth Avenue. He paid fifty thousand dollars for 
it. He spent twenty-five thousand more in furnishing and 
fitting up. His friends shook their heads at his extravagance. 
Since then he has resided in the house, and each year his 
property has increased in value. A few months ago he was 
offered nearly three hundred thousand dollars for the house 
and furniture, and refused it, deckring his belief, that in ten 
years more the property will be worth over half a million. 

A farm near the Central Park that could not find a pur 
chaser seven years ago at a few thousands, sold six months 
since, in building lots, for as many millions. 

We might multiply these instances, but the above are 
sufficient to illustrate this branch of our subject. 

Eented property pays handsomely. As much as twenty 
per cent, on the value, is often received as the rent of a dwell- 
ing, and some of the best Broadway stores bring their own- 
ers one or two hundred thousand dollars annually. As all 
rents are paid in advance, and security required for the larger 
ones, the owner is comparatively safe in his investment. 



CHAPTEK XIII. 

FASHIONABLE SHOPPING. 

The fashionable shopping points are along Broadway, 
from Canal street to Twenty-third street, and in some of the 
cross streets between these thoroughfares. The principal are 
Stewart's, Lord & Taylor's, and Arnold & Constable's. 

Stewart's. 

The tip-town or retail store of A. T. Stewart & Co., is 
located on Broadway, between Ninth and Tenth streets. It 
extends back to Fourth Avenue, and covers the entire block, 
with the exception of the corner of Broadway and Ninth 
street, which is occupied by the famous picture dealers, 
Groupil & Co. This break in the building of Mr. Stewart, 
gives the whole edifice, as seen from Broadway, an awkward 
appearance. It is said that the great merchant is anxious 
to buy the corner, but will not pay the price asked, as he 
regards it as extortionate. The building is a handsome iron 
structure, in the style of arcade upon arcarde, and is painted 
white, which causes some persons to call it a "marble palace." 
It contains in its various departments everything pertaining 
to the dry goods trade. It has also a department for ready- 
made clothing for women and children, and persons can here 
purchase at a moment's warning a complete outfit in any 
style their means will allow. The articles range from sim- 
plicity to magnificence in stylo and quality. 

The rooms are always full of purchasers. The city trade 
168 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 169 

proper is immense, and the majority of the strangers coming 
to the city do their shopping here. No one cares to come to 
New York without seeing Stewart's, and all go away satisfied 
that the immense establishment is one of the sights of the 
metropolis. 

lord & taylor's. 

The store of this well-known firm is located at the corner 
of Broadway and Grand streets. It is one of the most beau- 
tiful in the city, is built of white marble, and is handsomely 
ornamented. Its ample windows contain the finest display 
of goods to be seen in America. The interior, though not 
so large as Stewart's, is quite as handsome, and the various 
departments are managed with as much skill and system. 
The ready-made department is a feature worth examining. 
The establishment has not so large a trade as Stewart's, but 
rivals it in the excellence of its goods, and in the taste dis- 
played in selecting them. Many persons prefer this store to 
any in the city. 

ARNOLD & CONSTABLE'S. 

Arnold & Constable are now located at the corner of 
Canal and Mercer streets, but will soon move into their 
elegant marble store, now in process of erection at the corner 
of Broadway and Nineteenth street. This is one of the 
favorite houses of New York. Its trade is large and fash- 
ionable, and it divides the honors of the city with those 
already mentioned. 

INTERIOR OF A FIRST-CLASS STORE. 

A stranger, in entering a first-class dry goods store in this 
city, is at once struck with the order and system which pre- 
vail throughout the establishment. The door is opened for 
him by a small boy in entering and departing. As he enters, 



170 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

he is politely accosted by a gentleman, who inquires what he 
wishes to purchase. Upon stating his business, he is shown 
to the department where the article he is in search of is to be 
found, and the eye of his conductor is never off of him until 
he is safe under the observation of the clerk from whom he 
makes his purchase. This is necessary to guard against rob- 
bery. So many small articles lie exposed in the store that a 
thief might easily make off with something of value but for 
this watchfulness. Private detectives are employed by the 
principal houses, and as soon as a professional -shop-lifter 
enters, he or she is warned off the premises by the detective, 
whose experience enables him to recognize such persons at a 
glance. A refusal to take this warning is followed by a 
summary arrest. 

In paying for his goods, the purchaser notices that the 
salesman makes a memorandum of the articles and sends it 
with the money to the cashier by a small boy. If any 
change is due the purchaser, the boy brings it back. The 
articles are also taken at the same time and are examined 
and remeasured to see that the sale is correct. The purchase 
is then either delivered to the buyer or sent to his residence, 
as he may desire. 

The boys to which we have referred are called "cash 
boys," and are now a necessity in any well regulated estab- 
lishment. Stewart employs nearly three hundred of these 
boys in his upper store, and one hundred in his lower store. 
Good, steady cash boys are in demand. Intelligence is at a 
premium in this department. Let a boy take a proper 
recommendation from his public school or Sunday school 
teacher, and if he is intelligent, healthy, and cleanly, he will 
be at once taken on trial. He starts out with a salary of $3 
per week. If he shows capacity he is promoted as rapidly 



THE SECRETS *0F THE GREAT CITY. 171 

as possible. The highest salary paid is $8 per week, but he 
may rise to be a salesman if he will work steadily and intel- 
ligently. These boys generally have a lively and bright 
look. They act as cash boys, carry parcels out to customers, 
attend the doors, and do sundry other useful acts. They are 
strictly watched, and any improper conduct is punished with 
an instantaneous dismissal. They generally belong to re- 
spectable families, and live at home with their parents. 
Many of them attend the night schools after business hours, 
and thus prepare for the great life struggle which is before 
them. Such boys are apt to do well in the world. Many, 
however, after being released from the stores, imitate the 
ways of the clerks and salesmen. They affect a fastness 
which is painful to see in boys so young. They sport an 
abundance of flashy jewelry, patronize the cheap places of 
amusement, and are seen in the low concert saloons, and 
other vile dens of the city. It is not difficult to predict the 
future of these boys. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

IMPOSTORS. 

New York is the paradise of impostors. They thrive here. 
They practice all manner of tricks upon the unwary, and are 
off before one can lay hands on them. Sometimes they are 
caught, tried, and sentenced to the penitentiary. 

A FOREIGN SWINDLER. 

Several months ago, a foreigner, calling himself a Russian 
Count, and pretending to be Colonel of Engineers in the 
Russian Imperial service, made his appearance in this eitv, 
and announced himself as the agent of his Government to 
make contracts with certain engineering firms in this country. 
He hired an office down town, and would occasionally show, 
to those whose acquaintance he had made, plans ol' the work 
that was being executed under his supervision. lie brought 
with him letters of introduction from many of the leading 
men of Europe, and these, united to an easy bearing and good 
address, sufficed to gain him admittance into the most refined 
and exclusive society in this and neighboring cities. At 
Washington, he was treated with marked consideration, was 
shown through the public buildings, and was allowed to in- 
vy Yards at Washington and Brooklyn, and the 

ations in this city and elsewhere. Unfortunately, the 
expected remittance from Russia failed, from some unknown 

, to arrive, and the Baron was forced to appeal to his 
American friends for loans, and he borrowed from various 
172 



TIIE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 173 

persons, sums ranging from $500 to $2,000, and amounting 
in the aggregate to $25,000 or $30,000. To one gentleman, 
who had loaned him at various times $1,500, the Baron said, 
recently, that his long-expected remittance had arrived, and 
he made an appointment with his creditor to meet him on a 
certain day and go with him to a broker's to procure cur- 
rency for his Eussian gold. In calling at the office of the 
Baron on the day named, the gentleman found him busily 
I in explaining some of the plans to a stranger, and as 
it would be impossible for him to go to the broker's on that 
day he begged the indulgence of his friend and named another 
day. Before that day arrived the Baron had disappeared, and 
the police, on being informed of the circumstance, made 
inquiry, and ascertained that a man answering the descrip- 
tion of him sought for had taken passage in a steamer for 
Europe. 

CHARITABLE IMPOSTORS 

Men and women are always to be found in the City, seek- 
ing aid for some charitable institution. They carry books 
and pencils, in which each donor is requested to inscribe his 
name and the amount given. Small favors are thankfully 
received, and they depart, assuring you in the most humble 
and sanctified manner that "the Lord loveth a cheerful giver." 
If you cannot give to-day, they are willing to call to-morrow, 
next week — any time that may suit your convenience. You 
cannot insult them, for like Uriah Heep, they are always " so 
'umble." You find it hard to suspect them, but in truth, they 
are the most genuine impostors to be met with in the City. 
They are soliciting money for themselves alone, and have no 
connection with any charitable institution whatever. 



! 

their 1 s so as 
thing to bur 
. sundry 

i 
s Is. God knows 

i 

. y IMPOSTOR 

A I as 

was d upon 

■ 

speeted that s ~ 

- 

- 
She morning was 

s - 

ss 

bed by 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 175 

the young man to the lady — she replied, tha 
his silence, she said she was in need of money, and did not 
wish her husband to know it, and hoped to raise it in such a 
manner, and return it before the imposture should be 
covered. She was a woman of good social position, and the 
wife of a wealthy citizen. 



CHAPTER XV. 

SUNDAY IN NEW YORK. 

Strangers have observed with surprise the quietness 
which reigns within the city limits on the Sabbath day. The 
streets have a cleaner, fresher look, and with the exception 
of the Bowery and Chatham street, are closed to trade. The 
wharves are hushed and still, and the river and bay lie calm 
and subdued in the light of the Sabbath sun. Everybody 
seems trying to look as neat and as clean as possible. The 
cars run on Sunday, as in the week. This is necessary in so 
large a city, as without them many persons would be unable 
to attend church, their houses being miles away from their 
: if worship. 

CHURCH GOING. 

Iii the morning, the various churches are well filled, for 
New Yorkers consider it a matter of principle to attend morn- 
rvice. The streets are filled with persons hastening to 
church, the cars are crowded, and handsome carriages dash 
by, conveying their wealthy owners to their only hour of 
prayer. 

The churches are nearly all above Bleecker street. Trinity, 
St. Paul's, the old Dutch Church in Fulton street, and a few 
q's bethels along the river, are the only places of wor- 
ship left to the dwellers in the lower part of the city, who are 
chiefly the poor and needy. Little or no care is taken of this 
part of the population, and yet it would seem good missionary 
176 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 177 

ground. Trinity tries hard to draw them into its fold, but 
no one else seems to care for them. 

The up-town churches are well filled in the morning. The 
music, the fame of the preacher, the rank of the church in 
the fashionable world, all these things help to swell the con- 
gregation. They are generally magnificent edifices, erected 
with great taste, and at a great cost. They crowd into fashion- 
able neighborhoods, being often located so close to each other 
that the music of one will disturb the prayers of the congre- 
gation of the other. The plea for this is that the old down 
town locations were out of the way for the majority of the 
congregations. Many of the new sites, however, are quite as 
hard to reach. The pews rent for sums far beyond the purses 
of persons of moderate means, so that the majority of New 
Yorkers are compelled to roam about, from church to chuich, 
in order to hear the gospel at all. At the majority of the 
churches, strangers are welcome, and are received with cour 
tesy, but at others they are treated with the utmost rudeness 
if they happen to get into some upstart's pew, and are not un- 
frequently asked to give up their seats. 

There are intellectual giants in the New York pulpit, but 
they are very few. The majority of the clergy are men of 
little intellect, and less oratorical power. They are popular, 
though, with their own cures, and the most of them are well 
provided for. They doubtless understand how to 

" Preach to please the sinners. 
And fill the vacant pews." 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON. 

Morning service over, an early dinner follows. Then 
everybody thinks of enjoying himself if the weather is fine, 
or of sleeping the afternoon away if the day is too wet to 
11 



]78 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

•<<> out. The cars are filled with persons en route for the Park 
to pass a pleasant afternoon — the drives of that beautiful re- 
sort are filled with the elegant equipages of the fashionables, 
and the churches are comparatively deserted. Almost every 
livery hack, buggy, or other vehicle in the city, is engaged 
for Sunday, several days beforehand, and the poor horses 
have no mercy shown them on that day. 

The low class theatres and places of amusement in the 
Bowery and adjacent streets are opened toward sunset, and 
vice reigns there triumphant. The Bowery beer gardens sell 
lemonade and soda water, and such beverages as are not pro- 
hibited by the excise law, and the orchestra and orchestrions 
play music from the ritual of the Roman Catholic church. 

The excise law forbids the sale of spirituous or malt 
liquors on the Sabbath, and the bar rooms are closed from 
midnight on Saturday until Monday morning. The police 
have orders to arrest all persons violating this law. There 
is no doubt, however, that liquor can be obtained by those 
who are willing to incur the risk necessary to get it ; but as 
the majority do not care to take this trouble, the North river 
ferries are thronged on Sunday, by persons going over to 
New Jersey for their beer, wine, and stronger drinks. There 
is no Sunday law in that State, and Jersey City and Hoboken 
are only five minutes distant from New York. 

At night the churches are better attended than in the after- 
noon, but not so well as in the morning. Many ministers 
will not open their churches for afternoon service, because 
• they know they cannot fill a dozen pews at that time. Their 
congregations are driving in the Park — the young men, per- 
haps, in Hoboken, after lager. 

Sunday concerts are now becoming a feature in New York 
Life. These are given at the principal halls of the city, aod 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 179 

the music consists of selections of sacred gems from th*j» 
master pieces of the great composers. The performers are 
known all over the land for their musical skill, and the audi- 
ences are large and fashionable. No one seems to think it 
sinful thus to desecrate God's holy day, and it must be con- 
fessed that these concerts are the least objectionable Sunday 
amusements known to our people. 

The reason of all this dissipation on the Sabbath is plain. 
People are so much engrossed in the pursuit of wealth, that 
they take no time in the week for rest or amusement. They 
wait for Sunday to do this, and grudge the few hours in the 
morning that decency requires them to pass in church. 

THE EXCISE TRIALS. 
Scarcely a Sunday passes without numeious arrests being 
made for violations of the excise law. These cases are tried 
before the Board of Excise Commissioners, who, if the offence 
be sufficiently gross, take away the license of the accused 
party, or punish him according to the terms of the law. 
Some queer pictures of humanity are exhibited at these trials. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE DETECTIVES. 

The Detective Corps of New York consists of twenty-five 
men, in charge of Captain Young. They are men of experi 
ence, intelligence, and energy. They are well skilled in tha 
art of ferreting out crimes, and generally succeed in the ob- 
jects which engage their attention. They have a distinct 
organization from the Metropolitan Police, though they are 
subject to the orders of the Commissioners. 

It requires an unusual amount of intelligence to make a 
good detective. The man must be honest, determined, brave, 
and complete master over every feeling of his nature. He 
must also be capable of great endur&iice, of great fertility of 
resource, and possessed of no little ingenuity. He has to 
adopt all kinds of disguises, and is often subject to tempta- 
tions which only an honest man can resist. Any act, savor- 
ing in the least of dishonesty, is punished by immediate ex- 
pulsion from the force. 

BUSINESS OF THE FORCE. 

The men are always to be found at the police headquarters 
in Mulberry street, where they have a separate apartment, 
when not on duty. They are constantly engaged. Strangers 
coming to the city get drunk overnight in places of bad repute 
and are robbed. Next morning they come to ask the aid of 
the police in discovering their property. If their statement 
of the circumstances of the case is true, they can generally 
180 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 181 

recover the lost articles through the aid of the detectives, if 
they can be recovered at all. The force is in constant tele- 
graphic communication with other cities, and is always giving 
or receiving intelligence of criminal matters and movements, 
so that if a crime is committed in any city, the police force of 
the whole Union is on the alert for the apprehension of the 
criminal. 

The individuality of crime is remarkable. Each burglar 
has a distinct method of conducting his operations, and the 
experience of the detective enables him to recognize these 
marks or characteristics, in an instant. Thanks to f hi« ex- 
perience, which is the result of long and patient study, he is 
rarely at a loss to name the perpetrator of a crime, if that per- 
son is a "professional." Appearances which have no signifi- 
cance for the mere outsider are pregnant with meaning to him. 
He can determine with absolute certainty whether the mischief 
has been done by skilled or unskilled hands ; whether it has 
been done hurriedly or leisurely ; and can in a few minutes 
decide upon the course which ought to be pursued for the 
apprehension of the thief and the recovery of the property. 

" A man came into the Fourth Police Precinct, some time 
ago, and complained that his house had been robbed. The 
thief had been pursued without effect, but while running, he 
was observed to drop a chisel, and to tear up a piece of paper, 
which he also threw away. Captain Thorn, and a detective 
who was present, carefully examined the man respecting the 
mode by which the entrance had been effected, the marks left 
by the tools, the kind of property taken, and the action and 
bearing of the thief while running away. After eliciting all 
the facts that they could obtain, they both agreed that it had 
been done by a certain gang. When this had been ascertained 
to their satisfaction, the next thing to be done was to identify 



182 THE SECRETS OF TOE GREAT CITY. 

the individual or individuals belonging to the said gang, who 
nad committed the robbery. Captain Thorn proceeded to 
gum over a piece of paper, on which he fitted together the 
small bits of paper which the thief had thrown away. This 
at once disclosed the name of the robber, who was well known 
to the police as a member of the gang which Captain Thorn 
and the detective had, from the indications afforded, judged 
to be the depredators. The detective then said that the thief 
would certainly be found at one of three places which he 
named. Three policemen were accordingly sent afer him, 
one to each of the places named ; and the captain assured us 
that the sun was not more certain to rise the next morning, 
than that the man would be at the station-house. Fow, how 
were the police enabled to fix so readily on the depredators in 
this case ? Simply by their intimate knowledge of their style 
of working. They knew their marks just as a man knows 
the handwriting of his correspondent. When they had fixed 
upon the man who committed the robbery, their knowledge 
of all his habits enabled them to predict with certainty where 
lie would be found, and to give such exact description of his 
person as would enable any one who had never seen him to 
recognize him at a glance." 

A COSTLY CASE. 

" The necessary expenses of the detection of crime are often 
considerable. Information must be obtained, even if it has to 
be paid for liberally. Officers must be in concealment for 
weeks, and sometimes for months. Long journeys must not 
.infrequently be made; and in a hundred ways large expendi- 
ture will be called for. We were told of a case where a 
treasury note of the government was counterfeited with con- 
wmate skill, and it became a matter of vital importance to 



TIIE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 183 

obtain the plate from which the counterfeit was printed. One 
of the most successful detectives was employed to work up 
the case, who soon found that the cost of securing it would be 
so great that there was little probability that the treasurer 
would audit his accounts. He therefore told the governmeni 
that the cost would be so great that he declined to undertake 
it; but the possession of the plate, and the information that 
its capture would give, were so exceedingly important, that 
the detective was authorized to go on with it. lie did so ; 
the plate was obtained ; all the information sought for was 
procured, and the counterfeiters and their abettors were cap- 
tured. But it cost the government one hundred and twenty 
thousand dollars to accomplish this result. There were regular 
vouchers for every payment, and each was carefully scrutinized 
and verified. There was no doubt whatever that all the ex- 
penditures had been made in good faith, and with the utmost 
economy. Doubtless the government felt that the possession 
of that plate, and the knowledge gained, were worth all they 
had cost. 

TRACKING A MURDERER. 

The following case, which occurred a few years ago, m a 
sister city, will show how the detectives track and secure 
their game : 

" A terrible murder had been committed. The sods were 
scarcely heaped upon the coffin of the murdered man when 
one of his murderers was securely confined in the cells of the 
central station. The arrest was one of unusual difficulty 
When the detectives visited the scene of the murder, the only 
clue to the perpetrators was a blood stained handkerchief and 
the gag used in strangling their victim. "With these faint 
traces there was little hope of ferreting out the murderer, but 
Detective Joshua Taggart assumed the task. Eeturning to 
the store, he reconnoitered the premises with new diligence. 



184 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

A new trace was then discovered. A new mortise chisel, 
wrapped in a piece of brown paper, lay on a shelf in the 
room. The chisel was not the property of the proprietors of 
the dental depot. It had plainly been brought there by the 
burglars. To trace it then became the task of the detective. 
Upon it depended his only hope of tracing the murder from 
the dead porter to the burglars who had killed the unoffend- 
ing warden. 

" There were none of the usual evidences of crime in the 
robbery of the store. A skilled detective knows every thief 
within his jurisdiction, and their operations are to him fami- 
liar and easily recognized. The appearance of a forced door 
will indicate the man who burst it open. An experienced 
detective will trace a burglar by the manner of opening a 
door as readily as a bank teller will recognize the hand 
writing of one of his depositors. The size of the jemmy 
used, the manner in which it is applied, the place at which a 
house is entered, whether at the door, the window, the roof, 
or the cellar grating, are all so many unerring indications to 
the detectives of the burglars whose operations he traces. 
But in this case there was no burglary committed. It was 
simply murder and robbery. The murdered man had either 
opened the door of the wareroom, or the murderers opened 
the door with the keys taken from the gagged or insensible 
porter. The removal of the goods betokened the robbery. 
Gold, silver and platina to the value of three thousand dol- 
lars were taken away, but there were no traces or evidence 
of the burglars. A murdered man lay dead in the entry, a 
number of shelves stood empty against the wall, but neither 
clue nor trace, footprint nor finger mark, existed to aid or direct 
the detective's sagacity in his search. Detective Taggart 
knew this. He felt the difficulty of his situation, and he pre- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 185 

served the chisel as the first link of the evidence he was 10 
forge and fasten into a chain of convicting proof. He took 
the chisel home. The trade mark could not guide him. 
Hundreds of the firm's chisels were weekly sold in the city, 
and the clue seemed losing its power, when a few figures on 
the back of the wrapping paper inclosing the chisel arrested 
Taggart's attention. These figures were evidently a calcula- 
tion by a hardware dealer of the price of the tool, the reduc- 
tion by a slow hand of the business trade mark into the sim- 
ple value of the digits. To find the man who had made the 
memorandum on the back of the paper was the first step in 
detecting the murderer. 

" Mr. Taggart visited the hardware dealers one by one until 
he despaired of finding the one who sold the chisel. There 
was no evidence that the tool had been purchased in Phila- 
delphia. New York, Pittsburg, Baltimore and Boston retail 
such chisels, and the probability of its purchase in St. Louis 
was as strong as the idea of its purchase here. But Taggart 
found the man who sold the chisel. A hardware dealer recog- 
nized the calculation on the wrapper, and remembered the man 
who had bought it. Two men, he said, came to the store. One 
was slender and tall, the other was short and stout, with a 
heavy black moustache and black hair. The latter bought 
the chisel. The pal stood in the background and said nothing. 

" This was the commencement of the case. Who the stout 
man was Taggart could not surmise. It might be one of a 
score of thieves, and for four days he could form no concep- 
tion of the murderer's identity, until one night, waking from 
a restless slumber, Huey Donnelly flashed like thought across 
his mind, and running his memory back for the past few 
weeks, he remembered that at the time the murder was com- 
mitted Donnelly was in the city. The great difficulty in, 
tracing the case was passed. 



ISO THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY". 

" Donnelly was at once watched. Who the second man 
was Taggart well surmised. He followed Huey to every 
quarter of the city to see if he communicated with his pal, 
who was with him when the chisel was purchased — who was 
with him when the porter was murdered. But the second 
murderer had fled. Taggart himself followed Donnelly 
night after night, dogged him into every rum-mill and 
thieves' brothel, where he tarried briefly or long, watching 
him at night until he went to bed, but never found his pal, 
who is the associate criminal in the tragedy. A week after 
Donnelly was spotted, Taggart found his pal had left the city, 
and unless Donnelly was arrested he would also leave. Fol- 
lowing up the trail, he met Huey in Washington Square. 
Donnelly was leisurely crossing when a hand was laid heavily 
on his shoulder. lie turned and faced the detective, who 
simply said: 

" 'I want you, Donnelly.' 

* ' What for ?' 

" ' Murder.' 

" When at the station, the salesman was sent for. Donnelly's 
black moustache was gone. His face was shaved clean. Ho 
was placed in the rogue's gallery. A number of men of simi- 
lar build, both moustached and clean face, were placed in the 
same room. The salesman was conducted to the gallery. 
' Point out the man who purchased the chisel,' was the detec- 
tive's command. Without hesitation or doubt, the salesman 
placed his hand on Donnelly's shoulder. Then Taggart fol- 
lowed the second murderer. He went to Baltimore, but he 
could get no further. All clue was lost in that city, and the 
present lurking place of the confederate of Donnelly is undis- 
covered. The necessity for keeping the arrest quiet was 
removed, and now the detective calls to his aid the far reach- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 187 

trig nfluence of the press and the telegraph, that police 
autLjrities of other cities may complete the work begun here, 
and render to justice the other murderer, who is at liberty iu 
spite of her laws." 

It would require a volume to narrate all of the exploits of 
the detectives, and so we shall content ourselves with the inci- 
dents already given. 

If, as we have said, persons seeking the aid of the police, 
would tell the truth in their statements, the aid rendered them 
would be much more efficacious and speedy; and, after all. it 
is useless to try to deceive these keen students of human 
nature. The detective can tell from the nature of the loss 
whether the statement of the circumstances is true or false, 
for he knows that certain robberies take place only in certain 
localities. 

Persons are often indignant that those who have robbed 
them are not arrested and held for trial. Undoubtedly this 
would be a very desirable thing, but it is not always possible. 
Frequently no evidence can be obtained against the guilty 
party, whose arrest would be a useless expense to the city, and 
the detective in such cases is compelled to content himself 
with the recovery of the property. The stolen goods thus 
recovered and restored to their owners is stated on good 
authority at two millions annually.* 

In many cases the detective is very loth to arrest the cul- 
prit. It may be the first offence of some youth, or the victim 
may have been forced on by circumstances which an experi- 
enced officer can understand and appreciate. In such case3 
he generally leans to the side of mercy, for the men of the 
New York force are kind and humane. Their advice to the 

* Prison Association Report. 16C.6. 



188 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

party gainst whom the offence has been committed, is not to 
resort to- the law, but to try the offender again. In this way 
they have saved many a soul from the ruin which an expo- 
sure and punishment would have caused, and have brought 
back many an erring one to the paths of virtue and integrity. 
There are men of tried honesty in this city to-day, men hold 
ing responsible positions, whose lives, 

n " Could their story but be told," 
would verify this assertion. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

FIVE POINTS. 

Leave Broadway opposite the New York. Hospital, and 
pass down Pearl street in an easterly direction. Five mirutes 
walking will bring you to the abode of poverty and suffering, 
a locality which contrasts strangely with the elegant thorough- 
fare we have just left. Cross Centre street, and continue your 
eastward course, and a few minutes will bring you to Park 
street. Turn short to the left, follow the line of Park street, 
and in a few minutes you will see that blessed beacon light in 
this great sea of human misery and sin, the "Five Points 
Mission." You are now fairly in the heart of the Five 
Points district. It is a horrible place, and you shudder as 
you look at it. The streets are dark and narrow, the dwell- 
ings are foul and gloomy, and seem filled with mystery and 
crime. It is the worst quarter of the cit} r , and from here, 
over to East Eiver, you will scarcely find it any better. 

Yet, bad as it is, it is infinitely better than the Five Points 
of fifteen or even ten years ago. Then the place was notorious 
for its crimes. Murders, robberies, outrages of all kinds, 
were of daily occurrence. The officers of the law dared not 
'enter the district for the purpose of suppressing crime, and 
fugitives from justice found a safe refuge here. A man who 
entered the district carried his life in his hand, and unless he 
was either in secret or open league with the denizens of the 
quarter, was tolerably sure of losing it. Now there is vice 
and crime enough there, Heaven knows, but the neighbor 

189 



190 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

hood has vastly improved. The steady advance of business 
and trade up the island has broken up many of the vilest 
dens of the quarter, and has made travel through its streets 
more constant. Besides this, the new police system lias made 
the neighborhood safe, except at certain hours of the night, 
by thoroughly patrolling it, and promptly punishing disorder 
and violence. The character of the inhabitants has also im- 
proved, and the district now contains thousands who are poor 
without being criminal. The disreputable classes have been 
scattered, too, and no longer herd together around the "Old 
Brewery," which was once the chosen headquarters of crime. 
The Mission now occupies that locality, and the work of the 
Lord is going on where the Devil once reigned supreme. 

THE POPULATION. 

Still, as we have said, crime and want are plentiful at the 
Five Points. The Fourth and Sixth wards, which constitute 
this district, are known as the most wretched and criminal in 
the City. They are also the most densely populated — one of 
them containing more people than the entire State of Dela- 
ware. 

The streets of this section of the city are generally narrow 
and crooked, and the intense squalor and filth which disfigure 
•lion, cause them to seem much darker than they really are. 
Every house is packed to its utmost capacity. In some of 
these houses are to be found merely the poor. In others the 
character of the inmates is such, that no policeman will enter 
them alone, and not even in parties unless well armed. 

These buildings seem overflowing with human beings. 
Half a million of people are crowded into this and the adja- 
cent quarters of the City. One block of this district is said to 
contain three hundred and eighty-two families. Dirt and 




A DEN IN BAXTER STREET. 



THE SEC11ETS OF THE GKEAT CITY. 191 

filth of all kinds prevail. Few of the people can read or 
write, and the only education the children receive is in crime. 
The houses are almost all entirely out of repair. The stair- 
ways are ricketty, and seem on the point of giving way 
beneath one's feet. The entries are dark and foul. As 
many as a dozen people are crowded into a single room. 
Morality and decency are never heard of. The cellars, so 
dark that one unaccustomed to them cannot see a foot before 
him, without a bright light, are filled with wretched inmates. 
Some of these have secret passages connecting them with 
other buildings, and are used for purposes of crime, or they 
have hiding places known only to the initiated, where tne 
offender against the law may hide from the police, or where 
a ruffian may conceal or imprison his victim, without fear of 
detection. Kum, gin, whisky, and other liquors of the vilest 
kind, are used in profusion here. Some of these wretches 
never leave their dens, but remain in them " the year round," 
stupefied with liquor, to procure which their wives, children, 
or husbands, will beg or steal. Thousands of children are 
born in these foul places every year. They never see the 
light of day, until they are able to crawl into the streets. 
They die at a fearful, but happy rate, for they draw in with 
the air they breathe, disease of every description. 

It is said that there are forty thousand vagrant and desti- 
tute children in this section of the great city. These are 
chiefly of foreign parentage. They do not attend the public 
schools, for they have not the clothes necessary to enable 
them to do so, and are too dirty and full of vermin to render 
them safe companions for the other children. The poor lit- 
tle wretches have no friends, but the pious and hard-working 
attaches of the Missions which have been located in their 
midst. In the mornins; those who have charge of them drive 



192 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

them out of their dreadful homes to pick rags, bones, cinders, 
or any thing that can be used or sold, or to beg, or steal, for 
they are carefully trained in dishonesty. They are disgust- 
ingly dirty, and all but the missionaires shrink from contact 
with them. Some of them have the fatal gift of beauty, but 
the majority are old looking and ugly. From the time they 
are capable of noticing any thing they are familar with vice 
and crime, for they see them all around them. They grow up 
surely and steadily to acquire the ways of their elders. The 
boys recruit the ranks of the pick-pockets, thieves, murderers, 
and "thugs" of the City; the girls become waiters in the con- 
cert saloons, or street walkers, and sink thence down to the 
lowest depths of infamy. Water street alone can show a thou- 
sand proofs of this assertion. 

THE LITTLE THIEF. 

A few years ago, there lived in the great city a little girl, 
so small that no one would ever have thought her nine years 
old. Yet she had passed nine sad years on earth. She lived 
with a couple who had a cellar of their own at the Five 
Points. They were coarse, brutal people, and spent the 
greater part of their time in drinking and fighting. Little 
Nellie, for so we shall call her, went in rags, and was fre- 
quently beaten with severity by those who called themselves 
her parents, though no one knew whether she was their 
child or not. In the long winters she almost perished with 
the cold, and was nearly half famished with hunger. It was 
a wonder how she managed to live ; for in the coldest weather 
she was sent back and forth, through the freezing streets, by 
her so-called parents, her only protection being a ragged 
shawl, which she wrapped tightly around her head. Her lit- 
tle feet and legs were bare and frost-bitten, and often left red 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 193 

tracks on the pure white snow. At night her bed was a 
piece of old carpeting in a dark corner of the cellar, where 
she cried herself to sleep, and wished she could die. Young 
as she was, death was not terrible to her, for she regarded it 
as a release from her sufferings. Had she known how to 
pray, she would have prayed for it ; but, in her ignorance 
she merely wished to die. 

Do not be shocked, reader, when we say she never prayed 
The truth is that, with the exception of the constant bias 
phemy of the people with whom she lived, and of this sha 
heard too much, she rarely heard of God. Once she went 
into a church, and heard a man talk about Him in a way she 
could not understand. When she heard the organ it sounded 
so sweet that she thought God must be up there, and tried to 
see him ; but a great rough man put her out of the church, 
and told her it was no place for such as her, (alas ! God's 
house no place for the poor ! ) and that if she ever came 
there again he would hand her over to the police. She went 
away feeling shocked and hurt, and fully convinced that God 
did not like beggars. Then she remembered how nice and 
warm the church was, and how fine the people were dressed, 
and she began to wonder why she had been made so poor 
and helpless. 

" Ah 1 me," she sighed, " I 'm not God's child. He wouldn't 
notice me, I 'm so poor, and dirty, and my feet are so frost- 
bitten." 

She had no one to tell her how much God cares for the 
poor, how he watches over them, and notes every good and 
bad deed done to them. She thought he was careless of her ; 
and when some one told her he could do every thing, she 
wondered why he did not make her more comfortable, and 
give her nice warm clothes to wear. Finally, little Nellie 
12 



194 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

began to think him a cruel, harsh God, and at last she came 
to hate him. Terribly depraved, you will say, dear reader ; 
but, alack, was she to blame ? God help us ! there are many 
more like her in the great city. 

When Nellie was eight years old, the husband of the 
woman with whom she lived died, and the woman took to 
drinking harder than ever. This made Nellie's lot worse 
than before the man's death. Then she had had some brief 
respite from persecution; for, though the man had often 
beaten her, he had sometimes saved her from the fury of his 
drunken wife. Now there was no one to befriend her. The 
woman was rarely free from the influence of liquor, and 
blows were showered upon the child more frequently than 
ever. Poor little Nellie ! her troubles increased every day, 
and her desire to die became more eager. Sometimes she 
would go down to the piers, and gaze on the dark waters 
that swept beneath them, and would wonder if she would be 
at peace if she drowned herself.' But, though not afraid of 
death, the waters looked so fierce and angry that they fright- 
ened her, and she would go away shuddering with a dread 
that she could not understand. But for this, she would have 
sought in the cool waves the rest for which she longed. 

Matters went on from bad to worse, but at last they came 
to an end, but not in the way Nellie wished. The woman 
with whom she lived began to think that the child was old 
enough to be of some use to her, for she was now nine years 
old. Alas ! the use she made of her. There was nothing 
honest which so young a child could do, so she resolved to 
try her at dishonesty. It was a fearfully cold winter, and the 
woman's intemperate habits had prevented her from earning 
a living. To remedy this, she sent Nellie out with a basket, 
and told her to go to a certain street where she had seen a 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 195 

number of bales of cotton, partly opened, lying before a store. 
She bade the child, watch her opportunity, and, when no one 
was looking, to fill the basket, and run away with it to her as 
rapidly as possible. Nellie did not like the undertaking, and 
begged that she might not be sent ; but the woman brutally 
told her if she did not go and return in an hour, she would 
kill her. 

Nellie started out with a heavy heart, for she had a vague 
foreboding that something terrible was about to happen to 
her. She reached the place, found the cotton, and, as no one 
was looking, soon filled her basket. She was turning away, 
when a heavy hand was laid upon her shoulder, and a rough 
voice exclaimed : 

"You little thief! I've caught you, have I?" 
Nellie glanced up in terror. A richly dressed man had 
hold of her, and was shaking her roughly. 

"Please, sir, let me go, and I'll put the cotton back." 
"No you will not," he said coldly. "I'll teach you a lesson." 
As he spoke, he beckoned a policeman from across the 
street, and told him to arrest the child for stealing a dollar's 
worth of cotton. Nellie was taken before a magistrate, and, 
the theft being proved, was sent on for trial at the next term 
of the Court, and the merchant went away satisfied. There 
was no one to "go bail" for her, and she was remanded to the 
Tombs until the session of the court. 

It made the jailer's heart ache to see that little child entei 
the cell in which his duty compelled him to place her. lie 
wondered why she had not been sent to one of the numerous 
reformatory establishments, where she might be saved from a 
life of crime. But no, the child had been charged with theft, 
and the law required her to be tried for the crime, and if con- 
victed, to be sent to prison, to share the company of felons, 



190 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

and sink, perhaps into infamy. God help us, if this is always 
to be the character of New York justice. 

Nellie's life in prison was both pleasant and terrible. It 
was pleasant, inasmuch as it freed her from the brutal woman 
with whom she had lived, and terrible, because it left her 
alone all night in a cold, dark cell. 

At last, however, the end came. It was a terribly cold 
night, and the prisoners in their cells suffered intensely. 
Some heard low sobs in little Nellie's cell, but no attention 
was paid to them. The next morning the turnkey went to 
visit her on his morning rounds, and he found her lying stiff 
and cold. She had frozen to death during the night, and her 
wish had been granted. The little thief had gone to the bar 
of a judge who tempers justice with mercy, and who cares for 
those who are helpless and oppressed. 

There are some in the great city who will remember this 
incident, as it has not been very long since its occurrence. 

THE HOME MISSION. 

Seventeen years ago the "Old Brewery," on Park street, was 
the centre of crime in New York. The attention of the 
humane had been frequently called to the amount of suffering 
and vice surrounding it, but all seemed agreed that nothing 
could be done with the Five Points. Few had the courage to 
venture there, and those who knew the place smiled incred- 
ulously at the idea of reforming it. The " Old Brewery " was 
used as a tenement house, and contained one thousand inmates, 
and a viler, and more wretched set of people was not to be 
found in the great city. 

A number of Christian women of position and means, who 
knew the locality only by reputation, determined, with a 
courage peculiar to their sex, to break up this den, and make 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 197 

it a stronghold of religion and virtue. Their plan was re- 
garded as chimerical, but undismayed by the difficulties against 
them, they went to work, trusting in the help of Him in whose 
cause they were laboring. A school was opened in Park 
street, immediately facing the "Old Brewery," and placed in 
charge of the Rev. Mr. L. M. Pease, of the Methodist Ohur.jh. 
This school at once gathered in the ragged, dirty children of 
the neighborhood, and at first it seemed up-hill work to do 
any thing with them. Patience and energy triumphed at last, 
however. The school became a success. Then the ladies who 
had projected it, resolved to enlarge it. They purchased the 
"Old Brewery," pulled it down, and built the present "Mission," 
which is now in charge of the Rev. Mr. Shaffer. 

The Mission is dependent upon voluntary contributions 
for its support. Food, clothing, money, and every thing that 
can be useful in such an establishment, are given to it. They 
come in from all parts of the country, for the Mission is widely 
known, and thousands of Christians are working for it. The 
railroad and express companies send all packages for it over 
their lines without charge. 

Children are the chief care of the Mission. Those in charge 
of it believe that first impressions are the strongest and most 
lasting. They take young children away from the haunts of 
vice and crime, and clothe and care for them. They are regu- 
larly and carefully instructed in the rudiments of an English 
education, and are trained to serve the Lord, who has raised . 
up such kind friends to them. At a proper age they are pro- 
vided with homes, or respectable employment, and placed in 
the way to become Christian men and women. Hundreds, 
nay, thousands of good and useful men and women have been 
reared by the institution since its establishment. They were 
snatched from the haunts of crime when children, and owe 



198 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

their present positions to the Mission. Year after year the 
work goes on. Children are taken in every clay as far as 
the accommodations will permit, and are carefully trained in 
virtue and intelligence, and every year the "Home," as its 
inmates love to call it, sends out a band of bright, brave, use- 
ful young hearts into the world, which but for its blessed aid 
would have been so many more wretches added to the crimi- 
nal class of the country. 

Reader, if you can do any thing for this noble institution, 

do not hold back your hand, but do it. Your help is needed. 

# 

OTHER MISSIONS. 

Besides the "Home" to which we have referred, the "City 
Mission Home for Little Wanderers," and the " Five Points 
House of Industry," are all working hard for the purpose of 
bettering the condition of the poor and wretched of the City. 
They are employing a band of energetic, hard-working Chris- 
tian men and women, and are doing good daily. There is no 
doubt, however, that they succeed best with children. After 
the devil has set his mark on men and women, it is very 
difficult to efface it; but with children the case is different. 
They are too young to be utterly abandoned or depraved, and 
they can, by care and patience, in nine cases out of ten, be 
won over to the side of right. 

Not only are persons drawn away from crime and vice by 
the active efforts of the missionaries, but the Missions them- 
selves do good. They are well known, and they are constant 
reminders to the fallen that they have a chance to rise. Some 
few avail themselves of the chance. Men and women, espe- 
cially young ones, frequently come in and appeal to the mis- 
sionaries to help them to reform. They want advice, assist- 
ance, or protection. Whatever is needed is given, if it be 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 199 

within the means of the institution. If it is not, the mission- 
ary seeks it elsewhere, and rarely fails to find it. Few who 
are ignorant of the workings of these institutions, can rightly 
estimate the amount of good done by them. They are indeed 
" Cities of Eefnge," to which no one ever goes in vain. 

A part of the work of the " City Mission" is to distribute 
tracts and simple religious instruction. These are simple lit- 
tle documents, but they do a deal of good. They have re- 
formed drunkards, converted the irreligious, shut the mouth 
of the swearer, and have brought peace to more than one 
heart. The work is done so silently and unpretendingly that 
few but those engaged in it know how great are its effects. 
They are encouraged by the evidences which they have, and 
continue their work gladly. 

Again, these Missionaries are constantly going into sections 
of the City, from which the "popular preachers" shrink in 
dismay, and but for their devotion there are thousands of our 
poor who would never have the Gospel preached to them. 
They watch beside the bedside of the sick and dying, admin- 
ister the last rites of religion to the repentant pauper, and 
offer to the Great Judge the only appeal for mercy that is ever 
made in behalf of many a soul that departs in its sins. They 
shrink from no trouble, no sacrifice. They are a hard-work- 
ing, self-denying, noble band. 

THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS. 

This institution is situated on the Bowery, near Pearl 
street, and is in charge of th^ Bev. Mr. Yan Meter. It is also 
called the " Howard Mission.'" While striving to relieve all 
who call upon it for aid, its care is chiefly given to children. 
Its object is to rescue the little ones from want and suffering, 
and make them comfortable. They are educated, and taught 



200 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

their duty as children of the Lord, and at a certain age are 
provided with homes or trades. Little ones, starving or 
freezing in the streets, are picked up constantly and brought 
in here. The police often bring in such guests. All are wel- 
comed and made as comfortable as possible. You may see 
them warmly and neatly clad, or tucked away in a snug bed, 
little children, even babies, who but the night before were 
almost dying with cold in the streets. ' 

Like the "Ladies' Home," the "Little Wanderers' Home" is 
entirely dependent on voluntary contributions for its support. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

HOTEL LIFE. 

As we have said before, the majority of the better classes 
of New York prefer to board rather than keep house. Of 
these, a large number board at the hotels, the rest in private 
boarding-houses. 

The principal hotels of the City are the Astor, St. Nicholas, 
Metropolitan, New York, Fifth Avenue, and the Hoffman, 
Albemarle, Clarendon, Everett, and Coleman Houses. These 
head the list, but there are scores of first class houses, some of 
which are elegant in every respect. The transient custom of 
the hotels of the City is enormous, but the permanent board- 
ers of these establishments are very profitable. The rates 
are high, and the majority of these houses pay their proprie- 
tors well. There are two classes known in the City — those 
which are conducted on the old American style, or those 
known as "European houses." The former provide the guests 
with lodgings and full board at so much per day, or week, 
while the others furnish' merely the room and attendance, and 
are either without the means of supplying meals to their 
guests, or charge for each article of food separately. It is 
hard to say which system is the more popular, though it 
would seem that the European is growing in favor. 

THE GUESTS. 

The proprietors of the city hotels are very active in their 
efforts to exclude improper characters from their houses, but 
with all their vigilance do not succeed in doing so. One is 

201 



202 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

never certain as to the respectability of his neighbor at the 
table, and it is well never to be in a hurry to form acquaint- 
anceships at such places. Fallen women of the higher classes, 
and gamblers, abound at the hotels. The proprietor cannot 
turn them out until they commit some overt act, for fear of 
getting himself into trouble. As soon, however, as his atten- 
tion is called to any improper conduct on their patt, they are 
turned into the street, no matter at what hour of tne day or 
night, and left to shift for themselves. 

HOTEL SWINDLERS. 

Quite a number of persons in this city make a regular 
business of staying at hotels, and absconding without paying 
their board. This class consists of both males and females, 
and is much larger than most people suppose. We take the 
following descriptions of some of the best known from the 
daily journals of the City. They will show also their mode 
of operations: 

" A man by the name of D , or E, , purporting to 

hail from St. Louis, has enjoyed many years' experience as a 
hotel ' beat.' He is a tall, not ill-looking fellow, of tolerable ad- 
dress, and generally travels accompanied by his wife and three 
children, and by a large trunk ; his wife sometimes contrives 
to smuggle in the third child secretly, and to hide it in the 
room allotted to them, so that only two children appear on 
the bill. At any rate the bill is never paid whenever settle- 
ment is demanded. Mr. D , or E , is always found in 

his apartment seated at the table, busy with an elaborate 
assortment of manuscripts, and so busy that really at present 
he cannot be disturbed. To-morrow he will attend to every 
thing. But to-morrow the birds have flown, or walked out, 
one by one, from the hotel, and when the trunk is opened, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 203 

there is a beggarly array of brickbats, old boxes, old rags, 
and carpets, the former having served to render the trunk 
weighty, the latter to prevent any noise or rolling that might 
excite suspicion. 

"Another adventurer, a bachelor, by the name of M , 

affects the eccentric, and, as the day approaches for the hand- 
ing in of his bill, his eccentricity verges upon madness, till at 
last, when the document is really tendered, he becomes abso- 
lutely crazy — shouts, sings, performs in an antic manner, and 
declares himself to be the king of the Jews, the President of 
the United States, or something of that sort. He has suffi- 
cient method in his madness, however, to gain the advantage 
of the hotel proprietors, having on one occasion beaten the 
Fifth Avenue Hotel out of one hundred and seventy-one 
dollars in board and lodging. He sometimes is to be seen 
on Broadway in the guise of a military officer. 

"One of the most cunning and successful of adventurers is 

known by the name of W , alias Jones, alias several other 

titles. This fellow is an undersized man, blind of one eye, 
but of very genteel and prepossessing address, and is gener- 
ally accompanied by his wife. The two practice the bundle 
game, which is a very adroit performance. Their modus 
operandi is as follows : They travel with a large Saratoga 
trunk, which is really well stocked with linen and clothing. 
Of this fact they contrive to render the detective and officials 
of the house aware, so as to quiet any suspicion. Having 
thus tolerably opened the ball they keep it rolling as long as 
possible, till within two days or so of the period of final set- 
tlement. Suddenly Mrs. W , or Jones, appears to be- 

seized with a mania for going up and down stairs, and in and 
out of the hotel, carrying little parcels in her hand to and fro 
to the milliners and dressmakers, etc. Her husband also dis- 



204 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

covers that his clothes need revision, and sends them to 
tailors. Messengers also come to their rooms for bundles, etc., 

and at last Mr. Jones, or W , announces at the office that 

he is about to leave the next day, and would like his bill 
made out up 'till to-morrow night.' Meanwhile he goes on 
to state as his trunk requires some repairs he has removed 
his wardrobe into the bureau drawers, etc., and has sent for a 
trunkman to convey it to the nearest establishment, will they 
allow him a servant to assist the trunkman with it down 
stairs. The servant is sent to the room, sees that nothing is 
taken away but the empty trunk, and all is well. The ad- 
venturer and his female confederate eat with gusto, walk out 
arm in arm from the hotel, and are seen no more, neither 
their trunk, neither their wardrobe, which examination shows 
has not been removed into the bureau drawers ; in short, the 
clothes of the worthy pair have been taken away bundle by 
bundle, parcel by parcel, and left at convenient places in the 
neighborhood, to be called for, while the trunk has been 
deposited at a friend's till further notice. 

"By this system of operations the St. Nicholas, Lafarge 
New York, and Howard Hotels were victimized. Their tri- 
umphant career was checked, however, at the Fifth Avenue 
Hotel, by efforts of the special detective of the house, who 

discovered one day a piece of paper containing W 

Jones' private memorandum of the places at which he and 
his wife had left their different bundles. By confronting 
Jones, accusing him of his dishonesty, presenting the paper 
and accompanying him nolens volens to these various places, 
the detective contrived to recover the bill due to his hotel. 

"There are many adventurers hanging round a hotel, who 
are not enrolled, however, among its regular lodgers. There 
are numerous 'beats' who merely direct their energies to 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 205 

obtaining meals gratis, taking advantage of the rush to the 
tables during meal hours. As many as thirty-four of this 
class were detected at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in a single 
month. These adventurers often practice the hat game, de- 
positing, when they enter the dining-room, a worthless 
chapeau, and taking up, when they pass out, a valuable 
one— by inadvertence, of course. The Metropolitan Hotel 
has a colored man in its employ stationed at the door of the 
dining-rooms, who has proved thus far too much for the 
efforts of any of these gentry, consequently this hotel has 
been, in this respect, peculiarly fortunate. 

A man named "W , lately gained the advantage of a 

hotel detective in a rather amusing manner. He was in the 
habit of stealing his meals, and was detected so doing, but 
as he was one day also seen to draw from his pocket a gold 
watch, attached to a heavy chain, it was determined to give 
him a little longer indulgence. At last his time was up, and 
the officer, advancing to him, told him that he had been 
waited for ; that he had taken just so many meals, and must 
just pay so much money. " But I have no money." "Then 
I will seize your watch." When, lo ! the watch had disap- 
peared, and all the detective could find in its place was but a 
bunch of keys — the watch itself having been originally bor- 
rowed for a purpose w r hich it had fulfilled." 

HOTEL THIEVES. 

All the first-class hotels employ private detectives and 
watchmen. The business of these men is to keep a watch 
over the upper part of the house, to prevent thieves from 
entering and robbing the rooms of the guests. Suspicious 
persons are at once apprehended, and required to give 
account of themselves. 

t 



206 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

'A friend of the writer once called on an acquaintance at 
the St. Nicholas, and, being on intimate terms with the gen- 
tleman, went immediately to his room, without making the 
customary inquiries at the office. Although he knew the 
house very well, he missed his way in the long corridor, and 
failed to find the stairway. While endeavoring to "get his 
bearing," he was accosted by a quiet-looking individual, who 
told him he must go with him to the office and give an ac- 
count of himself. The man was the private detective of the 
house, and seeing that the gentleman had lost his way, sup- 
posed at once that he was a hotel thief who had become be- 
wildered in trying to make off from the house. Fortunately, 
the gentleman was well known at the office, where the mis- 
take was at once discovered and apologized for. 

AN AGILE THIEF. 

Some time ago, a man entered the St. Nicholas and robbed 
the occupant of one of the rooms, during his sleep, of a gold 
watch and chain, worth about one hundred and fifty dollars, 
a small amount of money, and a gold shirt-stud, with which 
he escaped to the hall- way. Succeeding so well, he concluded 
to try again, and proceeded to room 175, occupied by the 
cashier of the hotel, lifted that gentleman's clothing from a 
table, and stole some money from the pockets. As the thief 
was in the act of leaving the room, the cashier awoke, and, 
seeing a stranger, asked, " Who's there ?" To which the rob- 
ber replied, " I beg your pardon, sir ; I have made a slight 
mistake." Upon which he hastily left, followed by the 
cashier, who cried, "Stop thief!" At that moment, detec- 
tive Golden, employed in the hotel, appeared on the scene of 
action, and pursued the fugitive. The latter, in his haste, 
'eaped down a whole flight of stairs, when detective Golden- 




^fete^te 



ft 5i3t ftipft ftg^i t s^i t i5 
3'EE [ m 



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» Ta«^. Tft-rt Tirpn-T, : tg— ; 



* 







THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 207 

cried out to the men below to stop him ; and accordingly he 
was seized and held till the detective ran down and took 
charge of the prisoner. On searching him, the gold watch 
and chain were found in his possession ; also five different 
parcels of moneys, doubtless stolen from as many different 
rooms. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



RESTAURANTS. 



Thousands of persons, sometimes entire families, live in 
rooms, and either take their meals at restaurants, or have 
them sent to them. This has become so common now that it 
ceases to attract attention in the city, but strangers are struck 
with it, and are quick to notice the bad effects of it. 

Living at restaurants begets irregularity in the meal hours, 
and thus promotes bad health ; and the absence of the re- 
straints which the table of a family at home, or even the 
public board of a hotel, imposes, is the beginning of a loose- 
ness of manners, which is generally sure to be followed by a 
similar defect in morals. The cooking, at the majority of 
restaurants, is unhealthy, and intoxicating liquors are sold, to 
an extraordinary extent, as a part of the bill of fare. 

The principal up-town restaurants are largely patronized 
by the disreputable classes. Women of the town go there to 
pick up custom, and men to find such companions. Women 
of good social position do not hesitate to meet their lovers 
at such places, for there is a great deal of truth in the old 
adage which tells us " there's no place so private as a crowded 
hall." A quiet, but close observer will frequently see a 
nod, or a smile, or a meaning glance pass between most re- 
spectable-looking persons of opposite sexes, and will sometimes 
see a note slyly sent by a waiter, or dropped adroitly into 
the hand of the woman as the man passes out. Some of these 
nominally respectable places are so largely patronized by 
203 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 209 

this class, that a virtuous woman is in constant clanger of 
being insulted should she chance to enter one of them. 

THE BITER BITTEN. 

Eestaurants, like hotels, are the object of the constant 
attention of swindlers, though the operations are conducted 
on a smaller scale. Some of these persons are nominally 
respectable. 

"A bank clerk, with a fair salary and respectable connec- 
tions, was in the habit of patronizing a fashionable restaurant, 
partaking of sumptuous lunches and dinners, and evading full 
payment, under pretence that he had forgotten his pocket- 
book, or had omitted, in the hurry of business, to provide 
himself with small change, etc. Thus, if his check called for 
one dollar he would pay sixty cents, but invariably forgot 
upon the next, or any succeeding day, to 'settle' the balance 
due of forty cents. This ' little game,' so profitable to him- 
self, was carried on for some time triumphantly, but retribu- 
tion came at last, and unexpectedly and very cleverly. The 
clerk, seeing how matters stood, commenced to keep an ac- 
count on a piece of paper of the sums due and sums paid on 
each successive day at his establishment by this ingenious 
customer, and on one occasion, when the bank clerk had 
deposited his check for one dollar and a quarter and a ten 
dollar note in payment upon the counter (as he wished on 
this particular occasion to procure some small change for his 
own purposes), the clerk quietly took the note and then 
handed out two dollars and twenty cents in change. ' There 
must be some mistake,' said the bank clerk. 'Oh! none at 
all,' said the cashier. ' Did I not hand you a ten dollar note ?' 
' You did, sir.' ' And did not my check call for one dollar 
and a quarter ?' ' It did, sir.' ' Then where is my change ?' 
13 



210 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

asked the bank clerk. 'It is there, sir,' replied the cashier, 
pointing to a piece of paper which he handed to the aston- 
ished bank clerk. ' What is this paper ?' ' It is your ac- 
count.' ' My account !' ' Yes, sir, you will find it correct in 
every particular,' said the cashier ; ' I will go over the items 
with you. On such and such a day your check called for 
such and such a sum ; you paid only so and so, leaving such 
and such balance. The next day you ordered so and so, only 
paid so much, and left, of course, you see, this balance. Alto- 
gether, sir, you owe the establishment, as back balances due 
for food and liquors, up to date, just seven dollars and a half. 
I have taken out this amount, and you will find the chaise 
correct.' 

" Words were useless — the bank clerk was outwitted, and 
left in disgust, and from that day to this has never set foot 
inside of that restaurant again." 



CHAPTER XX. 

BOARDING HOUSES. 

As we have said elsewhere, it has been remarked that New 
York is a vast boarding-house. If any one doubts this, he 
has only to turn to the columns of the Herald, and see ihe 
long rows of advertisements on the subject. The better class 
houses of the city are equal to any in the world, but there 
are scores here within the pale of respectability which are a 
trial to the fortitude and philosophy of any man. A really 
desirable house t is a rarity here, as elsewhere, and very hard 
to find. He who is so lucky as to be domesticated in one of 
these is wise if he remains there. 

FINDING A BOARDING HOUSE. 

Some years ago there appeared a work on the subject of 
boarding houses, from which we extract the following de- 
scription of the experience of a person looking for board in 
New York. 

"He either inserts in the Herald, Tribune, or Times, an ad- 
vertisement specifying his particular requirements, or consults 
those addressed to humanity in general through the medium 
of their columns — perhaps adopts both measures. In the 
former case, the next morning puts him in possession of a 
vast amount of correspondence, from the daintily-penned 
and delicately-enveloped billets of up-towndom to the ill- 
spelled, pencil-scrawled, uncovered notes of Greenwich and 
Hudson streets. It matters not that he has indicated any 

211 



212 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

definite locality ; sanguine householders in remote Brooklyn 
districts clutch at him, Hoboken residents yearn toward him, 
and the writer of a stray Williamsburg epistle is ' confident 
that an arrangement can be made,' if he will favor her with a 
visit. After laying aside as ineligible as many letters as 
there are Smiths in a New York Directory, he devotes a 
morning to the purposes of inspection and selection. 

" He becomes acquainted with strange localities and bell- 
handles. He scrutinizes informatory scraps of paper wafered 
up beside doorways. He endures tedious waiting at thres- 
holds — it being a curious fact in connection with boarding- 
houses that a single application for admission through the 
usual medium never procures it. And according as his 
quest be high or low, so will his experience vary. 

" If the former, he may expect to be ushered into spacious 
and luxuriously-furnished parlors, where, seated in comfort- 
ably-padded rocking-chairs, and contemplating marble tables, 
on which gorgeously -bound volumes are artistically arranged, 
thousand-dollar piano-fortes, and mirrors capable of abashing 
a modest man to utter speechlessness, he will tarry the advent 
of stately dames, whose dresses rustle as with conscious opu- 
lence. He will precede them — they being scrupulous as to 
exposure of ankles — up broad staircases to handsome apart- 
ments, and listen with bland satisfaction to the enumeration 
of ' all the modern improvements ' which their mansions com- 
prise ; nor, perhaps, be startled at the ' figure ' for which they 
may be enjoyed. If ' money be no object,' he will not have 
to seek far, or fare badly. 

" But the researches of him whose aspirations are circum- 
scribed by a shallow purse will produce different results. 
By Irish girls, with unkempt hair and uncleanly physiog- 
nomy, he will be inducted into sitting-rooms where the Ve- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 213 

netian blinds are kept scrupulously closed, for the double 
purpose of excluding flies and preventing a too close scrutiny 
of the upholstery. He will have interviews with landladies 
of various appearances, ages and characteristics — landladies 
dubious and dingy, landladies severe and suspicious, (inflexi- 
ble as to 'references or payments in advance,') landladies 
calm and confiding, landladies chatty and conciliatory, — the 
majority being widows. He will survey innumerable rooms — 
generally under that peculiarly cheerful aspect attendant on 
unmade beds and unemptied washing-basins — and, if of sana- 
tory principles, examine the construction of windows in order 
to ascertain whether they be asphyxiative or moveable. He 
will find occasion to admire how apartments may be indiffer- 
ently ventilated by half-windows, and attics constructed so 
that standing erect within them is only practicable in one 
spot. How a three-feet-by-sixteen inches strip of threadbare 
carpet, a twelve-and-a-half-cents-Chatham -square mirror, and 
a disjointed chair may, in the lively imagination of boarding- 
house proprietresses, be considered furniture. How double, 
triple, and even quintuple beds in single rooms, and closets 
into which he only succeeds in effecting entrance by dint of 
violent compression between the ' cot ' and wall, are esteemed 
highly eligible accommodations for single gentlemen. How 
partitions (of a purely nominal character) may in no wise 
prevent the occupants of adjoining rooms from holding con- 
versation one with the other, becoming cognizant of neigh- 
boring snores, or turnings in bed. He will observe that lava- 
tory arrangements are mostly of an imperfect description, 
generally comprising a frail and rickety washing-stand — which 
has apparently existed for ages in a Niagara of soapsuds, a 
ewer and basin of limited capacity, and a cottony, weblike 
towel, about as well calculated for its purpose as a similar 



»e 



214 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

sized sheet of blotting paper would be. In rooms which ] 
not recently submitted to the purifying brush of the white- 
washer, he will notice the mortal remains of mosquitoer. (not 
to mention more odoriferous and objectionable insects) orna- 
menting ceilings and walls, where they have encountered 
Destiny in the shape of slippers or boot-soles of former 
occupants." 

EXPERIENCE. 
All boarding houses begin to fill up for the winter about 
the first of October. Few of the proprietors have any trouble 
in filling their establishments, as there is generally a rush of 
strangers to the City during the winter season. A few of the 
best houses retain their guests for years, but the occupants of 
the majority change their quarters every fall. At the first, 
the table is bountifully supplied with the best the markets 
afford, the attendance is excellent, and the proprietor is as 
obliging and pleasant as one could wish. This continues for 
a month or two until good board becomes scarcer in the City. 
Then the attendance becomes inferior. The proprietor can- 
not afford to keep so many servants, and the very best in the 
house are discharged. The fare becomes poor and scanty, and 
the proprietor, sure that few will care to change quarters so 
late in the season, answers all complaints with a gruff intima- 
tion that you can leave the house if you are dissatisfied. You 
feel like-taking his advice, and would do so but for the knowl- 
edge that you will fare as bad or worse if you do so. You 

nake up your mind to submit, and endure all the discomforts 
of the house until May with her smiling face calls you into 
the country, or offers you an opportunity to better your 

condition. 

All houses are more liberal to their boarders in the summer 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 215 

than in the winter — the City is then comparatively deserted, 
and most of the " highly respectable establishments" are very 
much in want of guests. They then offer unusual induce- 
ments, and are forced by their necessities to atone in some 
measure for their winter barbarity. 

BOARDING-HOUSE CHARACTERS. 

Persons seeking board in New York frequently complain 
of being annoyed by a demand on the part of the landlady 
(for the proprietor, is, in most cases, a woman) for reference. 
This may not be pleasant to the over-sensitive, but it is abso- 
lutely necessary. Nearly every boarder is at first a stranger 
to his landlady. She does not know whether a man is a gentle- 
man or a thief, or whether a female is a saint or a fallen woman. 
She naturally desires to keep her house free from improper 
characters, and to secure as guests those who will pay her 
promptly and regularly. 

• In spite of these efforts, however, it may be safely affirmed 
that there are not ten boarding houses in the city, which do 
not contain improper characters. Observers have been struck 
with the number of handsome young widows who frequent 
these places. Sometimes these women claim to be the wives 
of men absent in the distant Territories, or in Europe, and 
pretend to receive letters and remittances from them. In 
nine cases out of ten such women make their living in a 
manner they do not care to have known. They conduct 
themselves with the utmost propriety towards all persons 
living^ in the house with them, and are considered ladies by 
even acute judges. These same judges are sometimes a little 
startled to meet these virtuous dames in places where ladies 
are never seen. Of course the secret is kept, and the woman 
continues to deceive her other companions. 



21 '3 THE SECRETS OF TV CITY, 

Uadiea are the : ma of 

swindlers, and suffer very much from them. All sorts of 
- wrted to by the unprincipled to live without 
mi board. 

A FASHIONABLE SWINDLER. 

Las: winter " called upon a lady who presides 

r ding-house in Lexington avenue, and 
introducing himself as William Aspinwall. of the "He 
and Aspinwall brand I a room on the second tloor. 

This apartment he occupied for three weeks, constantly 
'•promising" the lady of the house money, but as constantly 
" being disappointed in his remittances from his friends, but 
if the lady would wait but a day or two longer he would 

rive, in person to Mr. 

Aspinwall and ol I or two.*' At last, one day 

.-■tended scion of the Aspinwalls vanished,, leaving his 

trunk behind him, which, upon examination, was found to be 

rery full and very heavy indeed, but with bricks and rags 

All Mr. AspinwalTs wardrobe being carried on his 

was found, however, which proved 

that his real name was Charles H. or at least that he had been 

known at times by that title, 

A SHARP GAME. 

A man calling himself Doctor Thorne is frequently seen in 

by boarding houses. He is a married man, which fact, 

of course, makes him all the more dangerous to his victims, as 

trives to support xpense not only himself, but 

1 and children. The ] . burly, heavily-bearded 

gentleman (at least in manner) : hi - .ore accomplished 

Jeremy Diddler than himself, is one of the softest-spoken and 

most amiably-seeming of her sex. The Doctor plays his little 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 217 

game as follows : He obtains first-class rooms at first class 
prices, pledging as security for the payment of these prices a 
large assortment of really valuable baggage in the line of 
clothes and linens. Having taken possession of his rooms he 
is, after a -week's time, suddenly called by business to Chicago 
or St. Louis ; he will settle the little balance due on his return. 
He accordingly departs, but not to St. Louis or Chi ; _ — 
oh, dear, no. He understands a trick "worth two of that. He 
simply hires a little room in a retired street at the lowest 
possible rent, and there resides. His wife and children — two 
boys, one aged ten, the other twelve, and both very "smart" 
— take him his meals daily, in a basket, in their pocket, or by 
other means, as the case may be, the meals being furnished 
unwittingly by the victimized landlady with whom his family 
are sojourning. But more than meals are taken from the 
boarding house. The baggage is also taken away, piece after 
piece, secretly, and conveyed to the little room where the 
" head and father " of this interesting family resides. So one 
day, after an unaccountable absence of Dr. Thorne from home, 
and after the receipt by his wife of daily letters from her hus- 
band, but no money, though money is always expected by the 
next mail, the whole family disappear, one by one, and never 
return. The landlady congratulates herself upon the fact that 
she retains at least the baggage — but alas, upon an examina- 
tion she finds that nothing is left her in lieu of the month's 
board for three people and a week's board for the fourth, 
saving some empty trunks. For a few days subsequent to 
this denouement, Dr. Thorne and family live in retirement. 
Then they boldly emerge and repeat the same series of opera- 
tions in other localities of this much beswindled city. 
A TRIO OF FEMALE SWINDLERS. 

" About twelve-month since, an old widow lady opened a 



21 S THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

boarding-house on University place, investing in the estab- 
lishment and furniture all her capital. She experienced no 
difficulty in obtaining boarders, and among her guests she 
numbered a small-sized, full-faced, but keen-eyed woman 
by the name of Agnes S. who rented a large room on the 
second floor. This Mrs. S. exhausted all her wiles to gain 
the friendship of the landlady, and succeeded in so doing. 
In a short time, she became the inseparable companion and 
intimate of the old widow, who never took any step of im- 
portance without first consulting her dear Agnes. The " dear 
Agnes" improved her intimacy and played her cards so 
well, that although she never paid her board, she was never 
requested to do so, and thus enjoyed the unenviable advantage 
of being enabled to live rent free. Having accomplished her 
first object, she now undertook to achieve her second. One 
day she sought the widow, and in a fit of gushingly-tender 
confidence revealed to her sympathizing friend her heart 
history; she told the widow that although passing for a 
maiden, she was in reality a married woman — but that her 
husband had been obliged to conceal himself from the gaze 
of the public owing to some 'unfortunate' business transac- 
tions in which he had been involved, solely for the sake of 
his brother out West. 

" Would she (the widow) not receive that husband, for her 
sake into the house ? Would she not consent to harbor the 
poor unfortunate partner of her bosom beneath her roof until 
. the matter had blown over ? The doting widow agreed to 
this proposal,-' and thus Agnes S. and her 'husband' (who 
was in reality no more her husband than any man who reads 
this) were united, and lived for several weeks in luxury at 
the widow's expense; although great scandal arose among 
her boarders concerning the matter, and several of her ' best 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 219 

paying lodgers' left in consequence of these 'developments.' 
At last the widow was taken sick, and then ' having cast her 
bread upon the waters, she found it after many days,' and 
lound it 'toasted.' From the hour of her taking to her bed, 
'Agnes S. and husband' ruled the house. The worthy pair 
run the establishment, hired and discharged the servants, 
acted as steward and stewardess, and not only so, but abso- 
lutely made out the weekly bills and collected them ; and 
not only collected them, but put the money into their own 
pockets. 

"Last Thursday week the matter culminated by the sud- 
den departure of Agnes S. and husband from the house in 
University place to unknown localities. Their 'little game' 
was effectually 'played out,' and the landlady at last re- 
covered her health and common sense. But the adventurous 
birds had feathered their nests, and have only subsided for a 
while, to resume, in all probability, their 'genteel swindles' 
in some other city, or perhaps only in another portion of this 
very metropolis." 

" The second of these worthies we shall ciul Mrs. Adelle 
Gamier. She is a stout creature, but endowed with a large 
share of good looks and dignity of manner. She has for years 
past resided in fashionable hotels, and has contrived to live on 
her 'face' in more senses than one. She is specially notice- 
able for three facts which have been abundantly exemplified 
in her career. First, she is a remarkably well educated 
woman, an accomplished linguist, speaking fluently, French, 
German and Italian, a skilled performer on the piano, and 
thoroughly versed in the literature of the day. Second, she 
has always exhibited a dislike, amounting almost to horror, of 
matrimony; and although she has, during her eventful history, 
received several advantageous oilers of marriage, has declined 



fJ20 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

ibem all, objecting decidedly to having her personal move- 
ments restrained in any degree by the will of any being on 
earth, not even a husband. Third, and last, and most remark- 
able of all, spite of her education and talent, spite of her 
matrimonial chances, she has steadily persisted in a course of 
life which has subjected her constantly to a long series of in- 
dignities, apparently preferring a wild, careless, lawless and 
scandalous Bohemianism to the sober routine and conven- 
tional demands of a modern lady's ordinary existence. Her 
last 'adventure' occurred some few weeks since at a Broad- 
way hotel, from which she was expelled at a very short 
notice by the proprietors in presence of a number of the 
guests. It is presumed that at present she is almost penni- 
less, though no one can safely predicate at what place or in 
what guise she may appear hereafter. For an adventurer, 
like a cat, has nine lives." 

" The third, Miss Alice Mauley, is a petite blonde of fasci- 
nating manners, with large blue eyes, and a luxuriant wealth 
of hair. Alice has been a 'pilgrim and a stranger' in the 
cities of Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore and St. Louis, since 
her sixteenth year, and has 'enjoyed' the privilege of a 
large circle of acquaintance — the police of these cities inclu- 
ded. Her mode of life verges on the 'sentimental,' and her 
peculiar forte is entrapping the affections of ' young bloods.' 
She cares not for 'love,' so-called, and is, in herself, chaste 
and irreproachable in morale; but she devotes her energies to 
procuring all the money, jewelry, diamonds and presents she 
can obtain from her ' enamored ones' prior to their 'propo- 
sals for her hand.' She, then, 'astonished at their mistaken 
presumption,' leaves them to regret their folly, but never by 
any chance returns their presents. She recently and serious- 
ly ' compromised ' the prospects of the only son and heir of 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 221 

a wealthy merchant of the metropolis, from whom she ob- 
tained some ten thousand dollars worth of 'tokens' and 
'souvenirs.' But, owing to the exertions and worldly acu- 
men of the young fool's papa, she has been obliged to leave 
New York, and has within the last few days been heard of 
from Cincinnati." 



CHAPTER XXI. 

TRINITY PARISH. 

Trinity Parish was laid off in 1697. The first church was 
a plain, square edifice, with an ugly steeple, in which were 
conducted the first services of the Church of England in 
New York. The site is now occupied by a magnificent 
Cathedral, the most beautiful church edifice in the city. 

The parish extends over a large part of New York. It 
includes the following churches, or chapels, as they are 
called: St. Paul's, St. John's, Trinity Chapel, and Trinity 
Church. It is in charge of a Rector, who is a sort of small 
bishop in this little diocese. He has eight assistants. Each 
church or chapel has its pastor, who is subject to the super- 
vision of the Rector. The Rev. Morgan Dix, D. D., a son of 
the American Minister to France, is the present Rector. 

Trinity takes good care of its clergy. The salaries are 
amply sufficient to insure a comfortable support, and a well- 
furnished house is provided for each one who has a family. 
Should a clergyman become superannuated in the service of 
the Parish, he is liberally maintained during his life ; and 
should he die in his ministry, provision is made for his family. 

The wealth of the parish is immense. It is variously 
stated at from sixty to one hundred millions of dollars. It 
is chiefly in real estate, the leases of which yield an immense 
revenue. 

trinity church. 

Trinity Church, the Cathedral, is situated on Broadway, at 
222 




TRINITY CHURCH. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 223 

the head of "Wall street. It is built of brown stone, and is 
the most beautiful and magnificent church building in Amer- 
ica. It is very large, and is capable of containing an immense 
throng. Its services are very beautiful and attractive. They 
resemble those of the Church of England, as they are almost 
entirely choral. The music is the best in the city, and hun- 
dreds are drawn into the church by it. At Christmas and 
Easter it is grand. On Christmas Eve, at midnight, the 
chimes of the church ring in the blessed morning, thus con- 
tinuing an old custom which is observed now only in some 
parts of Europe. 

The church is kept open from early morning until sunset. 
In the winter season it is always well heated, and hundreds 
of the poor find warmth and shelter within its holy walls. 
It is the only church in New York in which there is no dis- 
tinction made between the rich and the poor. The writer 
has frequently seen beggars in tatters conducted, by the sex- 
ton and his assistants, to the best seats in the church. 

The rector and his assistants are alive to the fact that this 
is one of the few churches now left to the lower part of the 
city, and they strive to make it a great missionary centre. 
Their best efforts are for the poor. Those who sneer at the 
wealth of the parish, would do well to trouble themselves to 
see what a good use is made of it. 

The ultra fashionable element of the congregation attend 
Trinity Chapel, or "Up-town Trinity," in Twenty-fifth street, 
near Broadway. This is a handsome church, and has a large 
and wealthy congregation. 

THE CHURCHYARD. 

A long iron railing separates the churchyard of Old Trinity 
from Broadway, and the thick rows of old gravestones, all 



224 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

crumbling and stained with age, present a strange contrast 
to the bustle, vitality, and splendor with which they are 
surrounded. They stare solemnly down into Wall street, 
and offer a bitter commentary upon the struggles and anxiety 
of the money kings. 

The place has an air of peace that is pleasant in the midst 
of so much noise and confusion, and is well worth visiting. 

Near the south door of the church, you will see a plain 
brownstone slab, bearing this inscription : " The vault of 
Walter and Robert C. Livingston, sons of Robert Livingston, of 
the Manor of Livingston." This is one of the Meccas of the 
world of science, for the mortal part of Robert Fulton sleeps 
in the vault below, in sight of the mighty steam fleets which 
his genius has called forth. A plain obelisk at the extreme 
southern end of the church yard marks the grave of Alexan- 
der Hamilton ; and James Lawrence, the heroic commander 
of the Chesapeake, sleeps by the south door, his sarcophagus 
being the most prominent object in that part of the church- 
yard. 

At the northern extremity of the yard, and facing Pine 
street, is the handsome monument erected to the memory of 
those patriotic men who died from the effects of British cru- 
elty in the " Old Sugar-house," and in the prison ships in Wall- 
about Bay. the site of the present Brooklyn Navy Yard. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE HOLIDAYS IN THE CITY. 

New York is very careful to observe the holidays, of the 
year. The mixture of the old Dutch, the orthodox English, 
and the Puritan elements has tended to preserve, in all its 
purity, each of the festivals which were so dear to our fathers, 
The New Yorker celebrates his Thanksgiving with all the 
fervor of a New Englander, and at the same time keeps his 
Christmas feast as heartily as his forefathers did, while the 
New Year is honored by a special observance. 

NEW YEAR'S DAY. 

New Year's day is one of the institutions of New York. 
Its observance was instituted by the Dutch, who made it a 
point never to enter upon the new season with any but the 
most cheerful spirits. They made it a time for renewing 
old friendships, and for wishing each other well. Each 
family was then sure to be at home, and social mirth and 
enjoyment ruled the hour. Old feuds were forgotten, family 
breaches were healed, and no one thought of harboring any 
but kindly feelings for his relatives or friends. The jolly old 
Knickerbocker sat in the warm light of his huge hearth, and 
smoked his long pipe in happiness and peace, while his 
children and children's children made merry round about him. 

Subsequent generations have continued to observe the cus- 
tom, and to-day it is as vigorous and fresh as it was when 
New Amsterdam was in its primitive glory. 

14 225 



226 TEE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

GETTING READY. 

For weeks before the New Year dawns, nearly every house 
in the city is in a state of confusion. The whole establish- 
ment is thoroughly overhauled and cleaned, and neither mis- 
tress nor maid have any rest from their labors. The men folks 
are nuisances at such times, and gradually keep themselves 
out of the way, lest they should interfere with the cleaning. 
Persons who contemplate refurnishing their houses, generally 
wait until near the close of the year before doing so, in order 
that everything may be new on the great day. Those who 
cannot refurnish, endeavor to make their establishments look 
as fresh and new as possible. A general baking, brewing, 
stewing, broiling, and frying is begun, and the pantries are 
loaded with good things to eat and to drink. 

All the family must have new outfits for the occasion, and 
tailors and modistes find this a profitable season. To be seen 
in a dress that has ever been worn before, is considered the 
height of vulgarity. 

The table is set in magnificent style. Elegant china and 
glassware, and splendid plate, adorn it. It is loaded down 
with dainties of every description. Wines, lemonades, coffee, 
brandy, whiskey and punch are in abundance. Punch is 
seen in all its glory on this day, and each householder strives 
to have the best of this article. There are regular punch- 
makers in the city, who reap a harvest at this time. Their 
services are engaged long beforehand, and they are kept 
busy all the morning going from house to house, to make 
this beverage which is nowhere so palatable as in this city. 

Hairdressers, or "artistes in hair," as they call themselves, 
are also in demand at New Year, for each lady- then wishes 
to have her coiffure as magnificent as possible. This is a day 
of hard work to these artistes, and in order to meet all their 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 227 

engagements, they begin their rounds at midnight. They are 
punctual to the moment, and from that time until noon on 
New Year's day are busily engaged. Of course those whose 
heads are dressed at such unseasonable hours cannot think 
of lying down to sleep, as their " head gear " would be ruined 
by such a procedure. They are compelled to rest sitting 
bolt upright, or with their heads resting on a table or the 
back of a chair. 

Sometimes a family desiring to "shine" on such occasions 
find themselves unable, after meeting the other expenses, to 
provide the clothing and jewels necessary. These are then 
hired from modistes and jewelers, proper security being given 
for their return. 

NEW YEAR'S CALLS. 

All New York is stirring by eight o'clock. By nine, the 
streets are filled with gayly dressed persons on their way to 
make their annual calls. Private carriages, hacks and other 
vehicles soon appear, filled with persons bent upon similar 
expeditions. Business is entirely suspended in the city, the 
day is a legal holiday, and is faithfully observed by all classes. 
Hack hire is enormous — forty or fifty dollars being the price 
of a carriage for the day. The cars are crowded, and, if the 
weather is fine, everybody is in the highest spirits. A stranger 
is struck with the fact that the crowd in the streets consists 
almost entirely of men. Women rarely venture out on tins 
day. It is not considered respectable, and, the truth is, it is 
not safe to do so. 

The earliest hour at which a call can be paid, is ten o'clock. 
The ultra fashionables do not begin to " receive" until twelve. 
At the proper time, the lady of the house, attended by her 
daughters, if she has any, takes her stand in the drawing 



228 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

room by the hospitable board. In a little while, the door 
bell rings, and the first visitor is introduced. He salutes his 
hostess, and after a few pleasant words, is invited to partake 
of the refreshments. A few eatables are swallowed in haste 
— the visitor talking away all the while with his mouth full 
— a glass of wine or of punch is "gulped" down, and the 
gentleman bows himself out. He has no time to lose, for he 
has dozens of similar calls to make. This goes on until late 
at night, 

A gentleman in starting out, provides himself with a written 
list of the calls he intends making, and " checks " each one 
off with his pencil, when made. This list is necessary, as few 
sober men can remember all their friends on such occasions, 
and after the first dozen visits are over, such a list is greatly 
needed. Each man tries to make as many calls as possible, 
so that he may boast of the feat afterwards. At the outset, of 
course, everything is conducted with the utmost propriety, 
but, as the day wears on, the generous liquors they have 
imbibed begin to " tell " upon the callers, and many eccentri 
cities, to use no harsher term, are the result. Towards the 
close of the day, everything is in confusion — the door bell is 
never silent. Crowds of young men in various stages of 
intoxication rush into the lighted parlors, leer at the hostess 
in the vain effort to offer their respects, call for liquor, drink 
it, and stagger out, to repeat the scene at some other house. 
Frequently, they are unable to recognize the residences of 
their friends, and stagger into the wrong house. Some fall 
early in the day, and are put to bed by their friends ; others 
sink down helpless at the feet of their hostess, and are sent 
home; and a few manage to get through the day. Strange as 
it may seem, it is no disgrace to get drunk on New Year's day. 
These indiscretions are expected at such times ; and it not un- 



TIIE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 229 

frequently happens that the ladies, themselves, succumb to 
the seductive influences of "punch" towards the close of the 
evening, and are put to bed by the servants. Those who do 
retire sober, are thoroughly worn out. 

THE NEXT DAY. 
The next day one half of New York is sick. Doctors are 
in demand. Headaches and various other ailments caused by 
"punch" are frequent. Business men have a weary, sleepless 
look, and it requires one or two nights' rest to restore mind 
and body to their proper condition. Should you call on a 
lady friend, you will probably find her indisposed — the cause 
of her sickness you can easily imagine. The Police Courts 
are busy on the Second of January. Disorder, drunkenness, 
and fighting are frequent on New Year's night. 

INDEPENDENCE DAY. 
The Fourth of July is simply a nuisance in New York. 
The weather is generally very warm. There is an early 
parade of the First Division of the National Guard, and 
at night there are fine displays of fireworks in various parts 
of the city. The greater part of the day, however, is dev 
to drinking and acts of lawlessness. Fire-crackers, Eoman 
candles, pin-wheels, and the like, abound. The police try to 
stop them, but without success. The city resounds with the 
discharges, the air is filled with sulphurous vapors, which 
irritate the throat and eyes, and the ears are stunned with 
the explosions. Young America is in his glory, and quiet, 
orderly people are driven nearly frantic. 

EVACUATION DAY. 

On the 25th of November, 1783, the British troops evac- 



230 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

uated the City of New York, and embarked on board their 
ships, and the American army, under the personal command 
of General Washington, occupied the city and its defences, 
This was a proud day for the city, and the whole country, and 
the people of New York have always commemorated it by a 
grand military display. It is honored by a parade of the 
First Division, and the troops are reviewed upon this occasion 
by the Governor of the State. The parade is the finest to be 
seen in America, twelve or thirteen thousand men, with 
cavalry and artillery, being under arms at the time. 

THANKSGIVING DAY. 

This is a " home festival," and the observance of it was in- 
troduced by the New England element of the population. It 
is commemorated by morning service in all the churches. 
The rest of the day is given to rest and social enjoyment, and 
a bountiful dinner, for which all the members of a family 
assemble at some particular house, affords the occasion for 
many a friendly and domestic reunion. In the evening the 
theatres and places of amusement offer additional attractions 
to pleasure- seekers. 

CHRISTMAS DAY. 

"When the bell of old Trinity ceases to strike the hour of 
midnight, on the 24th of December, there is a brief pause, and 
then the full, rich chimes of the old church strike up a joy- 
ous peal. The sweet tones echo and re-echo through the ! 
dark and silent streets, bidding the great city rejoice, for the 
merry Christmas time has come. 

For weeks before the holiday you will see a brighter, 
smarter look about the markets and the shops. The toy 
shops, especially, do a brisk trade, as well as those in which 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 231 

articles intended for presents are sold. Eesidents of the city 
are busy laying in dainties for the season, and purchasing 
gifts for their children, relatives and friends. 

On Christmas day the festivities are much the same as those 
in other places. They are hearty and merry here, as else- 
where, and the season is one of happiness. The poor are not 
forgotten. Those who give nothing at other times, will sub- 
scribe for dinners or clothing for the unfortunate at Christmas. 
The various charitable institutions are kept busy receiving 
and delivering the presents sent them. Their inmates are 
provided with plentiful, substantial dinners, and have abun- 
dant means of sharing in the happiness which seems to pervade 
the whole city. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE CENTEAL PARK. 

For many years the rapid growth of the city has made it 
desirable that the people should be provided with public 
grounds, within easy reach, to which they could resort for 
rest and recreation. The natural features of the island made 
it plain that such a place of resort would have to be constructed 
by artificial means, and it was for some time doubted whether 
any site within the city limits could be made to serve the 
purpose. 

On the 5th of April, 1851, Mayor Kingsland, in a special 
message to the Common Council, called attention to the im- 
portance of a public park, sufficiently ample to meet the 
growing wants of the city population. The message was re- 
ferred to a select committee, who reported in favor of pur- 
chasing a tract of one hundred and fifty acres, known as Jones' 
Wood, lying between Sixty-sixth and Seventy-fifth streets, and 
Third Avenue and East River. This location came near being 
decided upon and purchased, but a quarrel with reference to 
it, between two members of the Legislature from New York 
City, called the attention of the public and the State authorities 
to it, and happily defeated the whole scheme. On the 5th of 
August, 1851, a Committee was appointed to examine whether 
another more suitable site for a park could not be found, and 
the result of the inquiry was the selection of the site now 
known as Central Park. 
232 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 233 

A WONDERFUL WORK. 

The Central Park, so called because it is situated almost 
in the centre of the island, is a parallelogram, and lies between 
Fifth and Eighth Avenues, and Fifty-ninth and One-hundred- 
and-tenth streets. It covers an area of eight hundred and 
forty three acres, and is about two and a half miles long by 
half a mile in width. 

When the site was selected and the work commenced, the 
whole area, with the exception of the Croton Reservoirs in the 
upper part, was a barren waste. It was a succession of rocky 
elevations, stagnant pools, and sandy plains. It was covered 
with a coarse undergrowth, which simply disfigured it, and 
was occupied by the miserable shanties of a number of Irish 
families, known as " squatters." By looking at the character of 
the land surrounding it, the reader can easily form a correct 
idea of the primitive character of the Park, and of the im- 
mense labor which has been performed in transforming that 
barren waste into the magnificent grounds of to-day. 

As it was morally certain that the authorities of the city of 
New York would not carry on the work as honestly and as 
promptly as was desirable, the Legislature placed the man- 
agement of affairs in the hands of a Commission, composed of 
prominent citizens of all parties. Under the auspices of this 
Commission, the work was begun in 1858, and pushed forward 
as rapidly as possible, to its present state. These Commis- 
sioners still have charge of it, and conduct its affairs with the 
same skill and vigor which have accomplished so much in the 
past. 

The Park now contains a parade ground of fifty acres, for 
the manceuvering of large bodies of troops, play grounds, 
base ball grounds, rides, drives, walks, etc. There are nine 
miles of carriage roads in it, four miles of bridle roads, and 



234 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

twenty-five miles of walks. It is larger than any city park 
in the world, except the Bois de Boulogne at Paris, the 
Prater at Vienna, and the Phenix Park at Dublin. A rocky 
ridge, which traverses the whole island, passes through 
almost the exact centre of the grounds, and has afforded a 
means of rendering the scenery most beautiful and diversi- 
fied. A part of the grounds form a miniature Alpine region ; 
another part is the perfection of water scenery; and still 
another stretches away in one of the loveliest lawns in the 
world. The soil will nurture almost any kind of tree, shrub, 
or plant ; and more than one hundred and sixty thousand 
trees and shrubs of all kinds have been planted, and the work 
is still going on. Any of the principal walks will conduct 
the visitor all over the grounds, and afford him a fine view 
of the principal objects of interest. 

All the entrances on Fifty-ninth street lead to the hand- 
some marble arch near the eastern side. Passing through 
this archway, and ascending a broad flight of stairs, the visitor 
finds himself in the great mall, which, beginning near the 
principal entrance on Fifth Avenue, leads to the terrace, which 
is one of the chief attractions. The terrace is handsomely 
constructed of a soft yellow stone, carved elaborately and 
tastefully. Three broad flights of stairs, one on each side, 
and one* covered stairway in the centre, lead to the esplanade 
below, in which is the main fountain, and at the end of 
which is 

THE LAKK 

To our mind, this is the chief attraction of the Park. It 
covers an area of one hundred acres, and serves as one of the 
receiving reservoirs of the city. It was formerly an unsightly 
swamp, but it would be hard to find now a lovelier sheet of 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 235 

water than this. It is spanned by several handsome bridges, 
and the scenery along its banks is both beautiful and varied. 
Here the eye ranges over a low shore, covered with a rich 
greensward, which stretches away far in the distance ; there a 
bold waterfall leaps over its rocky barrier, and plunges into 
the lake from a height of fifty or sixty feet. On one hand 
the banks rise up bold and rugged, with an air of stern- 
ness, and on the other the ascent is gradual and beautiful. 
Bow-boats are constantly plying on the lake in the mild 
season, and in these the visitor can enjoy, for a small sum, the 
pleasure of a row over the lake. No one can properly appre- 
ciate the beauty and variety of the scenery of this beautiful 
sheet of water, without taking this little voyage. 

There is another and a smaller lake near the Fifth Avenue 
entrance. It is near the wall on Fifty-ninth street, and lies 
down in a deep hollow, formed by high, rocky sides, which 
give it a wild, mountainous appearance. 

PLEASURE SEEKERS. 

In fair weather the Park Commissioners cause free con- 
certs to be given on the mall every Saturday afternoon, by 
one of the best bands in the city. The music is of a high 
character, and thousands flock there to hear it. The Park is 
full of visitors on fine afternoons, and the boats on the lake 
are crowded. The horses and equipages of the wealthier 
classes form one of its greatest attractions on such occasions. 
They come in great numbers. All the celebrities of the city, 
and many from other parts of the world, are to be seen here, 
and the horses now compare favorably with those of any 
other American city. Previous to the opening of the Park, 
there were no drives around or in New York, and the horse- 



236 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

flesh of the Metropolis was the laughing-stock of the country. 
Now the case is different. 

In the winter season, when the lake and ponds are frozen 
over, the skating is the great attraction. Large sheds are 
erected at the principal points, containing private apartments 
for the sexes, restaurants, cloak-rooms, and places for warming 
and putting on or removing skates. The ice is carefully ex- 
amined, and the dangerous localities are plainly marked. 
Every precaution is taken to prevent accidents, and means of 
assistance are always at hand. When the ice is in good con- 
dition, a large ball is hoisted on the Arsenal, and little flags 
are fastened to the various street cars running to the Park. 
In this way the news is soon scattered through the city, and 
crowds of persons flock to the Park to enjoy the sport. 
The scene is both brilliant and exhilarating. The Com- 
missioners prepare a code of liberal rules for the govern- 
ment of skaters, and place them at conspicuous points. All 
persons going on the ice are required to comply with them, 
on pain of exclusion from the sport. 

Good sleighing is rare in the Metropolis, but when it is to 
be had, the best is always in the Park. 



THE ARSENAL. 

This building is situated on Fifth Avenue, just within the 
Park enclosure. It was originally used for the purpose 
designated by the name it bears, but is now a free museum 
of natural history and art. It contains the nucleus of the 
Zoological Garden, which is now in course of construction 
near the centre of the Park, on the line of Eighth Avenue, 
and though the collection of animals, birds, etc., is small, it is 
very interesting. In the upper part of the building are the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 237 

models of the sculptor Crawford, presented to the city by his 
widow, and many other interesting specimens of art. 

THE CROTON RESERVOIRS. 

These are located in the upper Park, and cover a con- 
siderable area. From the hill on which they are situated, a 
fine view can be had of the lower Park, stretching away in 
its beauty for over a mile. These reservoirs receive the 
water direct from the aqueduct, which brings it from Croton 
Lake, and pass it into the distributing reservoir on Forty- 
second street. 

• The scenery of this part of the Park is wild and romantic. 
It is said that "the deep gorge, called McGowan's Pass, 
dividing this northern portion, is the valley which, by means 
of its darkly wooded hillsides, sheltered the secret messengers 
passing between the scattered parties of the American troops 
who, during the few days intervening between their dis- 
heartening rout on Long Island and the battle of Harlem 
Plains, rallied about the range of hills extending from Fort 
Washington to Bloomingdale." A small part of the " Old 
Boston Eoad " is still to be seen in this portion of the Park, 
and in the distance a view is obtained of the High Bridge and 
Westchester county, while Washington Heights rise beauti- 
fully to the northward. To the eastward we see the white 
sails of the vessels in Long Island Sound, and get a faint 
glimpse of the town of Flushing on Long Island, and New 
Rochelle on the mainland. 

TRANSVERSE ROADS. 

It was foreseen Avhen the Park was laid off, that as it would 
extend for so long a distance right through the centre of the 
island, it would be necessary to provide means of communi- 
cation between the eastern and western sides of the island, 



238 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

without forcing persons to pass around the upper or lower 
ends of the enclosure. At the same time it was felt to be 
desirable to make these roads as private as possible, so that 
the beauty of the Park should not be marred by them, or by 
the long trains of wagons, carts, and such other vehicles as 
would pass over them. The genius of the constructing 
engineers soon settled this difficulty. A system of transverse 
roads was adopted and carried out. There are four of them, 
and they cross the Park at Sixty-fifth, Seventy-ninth, Eighty- 
fifth, and Ninety-seventh streets. They are sunken con- 
siderably below the general level of the Park, and are securely 
walled in with masonry. Vines, trees and shrubbery are 
planted and carefully trained along the edges of these walls, 
which conceal the roads from view. The visitors, by means 
of archways or bridges, pass over these roads, catching but a 
momentary glimpse of them in some places, and in utter 
ignorance of them in others. 

THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN. 
This, when completed, will be one of the principal attrac- 
tions of the Park. It is located between the Lake and Eighth 
Avenue, and work is now going forward upon it to prepare it 
for the reception of the animals. It is very rocky and wild, 
and has many natural advantages for the purpose to which it 
is to be applied. It lies just outside of the main enclosure, 
and will be connected with it by means of a tunnel under the 
avenue. 

INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION. 

The original cost of the Park was nearly five millions of 
dollars. The total cost to the present time has been nearly 
nine millions. About half a million of dollars are annually 
spent in improvements and in keeping the grounils in order. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 239 

The control of affairs is vested in a board of eight com- 
missioners, but the general administration is conducted by 
the Comptroller, Mr. Andrew H. Green. 

The discipline is very rigid. A force of special policemen, 
who may be recognized by their gray uniforms, has been 
placed on duty in the Park, with the same powers and duties 
as the Metropolitan Police. One of these is always on duty 
at each gateway, to direct visitors and furnish information, a3 
well as to prevent vehicles from entering the grounds at too 
rapid a rate. Others of the force are scattered through the 
grounds at such convenient distances, that one of them is 
always within call. None of the employes are allowed to 
ask or to receive pay for their services. Their wages are 
liberal. When an article is found by any of the employes 
of the Park, it is his duty to carry it to the property clerk 
at the Arsenal, where it can be identified and recovered by the 
rightful owner. 

Improper conduct of all kinds is forbidden, and promptly 
checked. Visitors are requested not to walk on the grass, 
except in those places where the word Common is posted ; not 
to pick flowers, leaves, or shrubs, or in any way deface the 
foliage ; not to throw stones or other missiles , not to scratch 
or deface the masonry or carving ; and not harm or feed the 
birds. 

No one is allowed to • offer anything for sale within the 
limits of the enclosure, without a special license from the 
Commissioners. There are several hotels, or restaurants, in 
the grounds. These are conducted in first-class style by per- 
sons of responsibility and character. Private closets for men, 
which may be distinguished by the sign, "For Gentlemen 
only" are located at convenient points throughout the Park, 
and cottages for ladies and children are as numerous. These 



240 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT GITT. 

latter are in charge of a female attendant, whose business it 
is to wait upon visitors, and care for them in case of sudden 
illness, until medical aid can be procured. 

Carriages for hire will be found at all the principal entrances 
to the Park. The Commissioners have no control over these 
vehicles, and the visitor must make his own bargain with the 
driver ; a matter to which he had better attend before entering 
the vehicle, for these Jehus know how to drive a hard 
bargain. 

The effect of this magnificent pleasure ground has been 
most salutary. The thousands of poor persons in the great 
city have the means of breathing the pure fresh air, and en- 
joying the beauties of nature, on all their holiday occasions. 
The health of this part of the population has improved very 
greatly, and the people of all classes have been correspond- 
ingly benefited. Every inhabitant of the great city has an 
especial pride in the Park, and, thanks to this feeling, the 
Commissioners have little or no trouble in enforcing their 
regulations. There have been no acts of rowdyism or law- 
lessness within the enclosure, for even the most depraved 
feel themselves compelled to respect the rules of the place. 
In a few years the streets facing the walls will be occupied 
with magnificent residences and public buildings, and the 
neighborhood will be the most delightful on the island. 



CHAPTER XXIY. 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

New York stands at the head of all American cities in the 
excellence and extent of its system of public education. It 
has one free college, fifty -five ward or grammar schools, forty 
primary schools, and ten colored schools. The ward schools 
are divided into three departments, primary, male, and female, 
and the others into two, one for each sex. The buildings are 
generally of brick, tastefully trimmed with freestone or 
granite, and are amongst the handsomest in the city. They 
are commodious, and in every respect equal to the demand 
upon them. The rooms are large, airy, and neat. The 
building is well warmed and ventilated, and every care is 
taken to render the teachers and pupils as comfortable as 
possible. The number of teachers is between two thousand 
five hundred and three thousand, and the number of children 
is near three hundred thousand. A janitor resides in 
each building, and is responsible for its cleanliness and 
healthfulness. 

The course of study is most thorough. Pupils enter the 
primary classes, and pass through the various grades of the 
primary and grammar schools, until the course is finished. 
Then the college of the City of New York is opened to all 
who desire to enter it, who have passed regularly and honor- 
ably through the lower schools. In this institution all the 
branches of a thorough and complete collegiate course are 
aught. Horace Webster, L. L. D., is the president of the 
15 241 



242 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

college, and the faculty embraces some of the most learned 
men in the city. The institution grants diplomas, confers 
degrees, and is entitled to and exercises all the privileges of 
a first-class college. 

The whole system is free to all the children of the city, 
whose parents choose to avail themselves of it. Books and 
everything needed are furnished without charge, and no pains 
are spared to render the course as thorough and beneficial as 
possible. The pupil is put to no expense, whatever, but is 
required to maintain habits of cleanliness and neatness. The 
sexes are provided with separate apartments, and enter the 
building by different doors. In some localities night schools 
are provided, for those who cannot be present at the day ses- 
sions, and are well attended. Many cash and errand boys and 
clerks, porters, drivers, and others gladly avail themselves of 
this means of acquiring knowledge. 

The cost to the city of this magnificent system, is between 
two and a half and three millions of dollars annually. It is 
a heavy tax upon the municipal treasury, but it is gladly 
borne, for it saves the metropolis from those hordes of idle, 
ignorant men and women which are the curse of all great 
cities. The very poorest men or women can thus give to 
their children the priceless boon of knowledge, of which their 
youth was deprived. Profiting by the advantage thus ac- 
quired, these little ones, in after years, may rise to fame and 
fortune. Thus not only the metropolis but the whole country 
reaps the blessings of this magnificent system of free edu- 
cation. 

The best proof of its excellence lies in the fact that, a short 
time since, a Committee, appointed by the authorities of the 
city of Boston, for the purpose of inquiring into the public 
fcohool systems of other American cities, with a view to im- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 243 

proving that of the "Hub," stated in their report, that they 
regarded the. system in practice in the city of New York, as 
the best in the world, and recommended that the school system 
of Boston be modeled upon the same plan. 

Ample as are our means of diffusing knowledge, however, 
they must still be increased. They must be made to reach 
those lower portions of humanity, in behalf of which the 
Mission Schools of the great city are doing such noble work. 
Not until this is done, will the system be perfect. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE POOR OF NEW YORK. 

As we have said before, land for building purposes is very 
high and scarce in New York. In consequence of this, 
dwellings rent here for more than in other American cities. 
The laying off of the' Central Park was a decided benefit to 
the city and its inhabitants, but the blessing had also its ac- 
companying evil. It reduced the " house room" of the island 
by eight hundred acres, which would have afforded comfor- 
table accommodations for seventy-two thousand persons, and 
naturally crowded the lower quarters of the city to a still 
greater extent. A careful estimate has been made by the 
Sanitary Association of New York, and they report that with 
three fourths of the population there is an average of six fami- 
lies to every house. 

The poorer classes are to be met with in all parts of the city, 
but they are most numerous along the East and North rivers, 
and between Fourteenth and Canal streets. The majority 
of them are, beyond a doubt, honest, and willing to work, and 
in times of great commercial activity nearly all can find some 
means of employment ; but in dull seasons, when merchants 
and manufacturers are forced to discharge their employes, 
thousands are thrown out of work, and the greatest suffering 
and distress prevail in the poor districts. Besides these there 
are thousands of vagrants, drunkards, and disreputable per- 
sons, who would rather steal, or beg, than work, and whose 
misery is frightful. 
244 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 245 

We must not be understood as intimating that all who de- 
sire employment can procure it in New York. Indeed the 
contrary is the case. Labor and skill of almost every kind 
are in excess here. For every position of regular labor there 
are at least five applicants, so that four fifths of the poor have 
to resort to any and^all means to maintain an honest existence. 
Some of these means it is our purpose to notice separately. 

THE LOWEST DEPTHS. 

You will see the extremes of poverty and want in and about 
the Five Points district. In the day time half-clad, filthy, 
emaciated creatures pass you on the gloomy streets, and startle 
you with the air of misery which they carry about them. At 
night these poor creatures huddle into cellars, so damp, foul, 
and pestilential that it seems impossible for a human being to 
exist in them. The walls are lined with "bunks," or "berths," 
and the woodwork and bedding is alive with vermin ; the 
floors are covered with wretched beds in a similar condition. 
The place is either as dark as midnight, or dimly lighted with 
a tallow clip. Sometimes a stove, which only helps to poison 
the atmosphere, is found in the place, sometimes a pan of 
coals, and often there is no means of warmth at hand. Men, 
women, and children crowd into these holes, as many as thirty 
being found in some of them. They pay a small sum to the 
wretch who acts as landlord, for the privilege of receiving 
this shelter from the cold night. The sexes are mingled 
carelessly, and the grossest indecency prevails. The air is 
loaded with blasphemy and curses, and is heavy with such 
foul odors that one unaccustomed to it cannot remain five 
minutes in the place. 

The attics of the lowest class of tenement houses are no 
better than these cellars. They are colder, and more exposed 
to the elements, but the suffering in them is no greater. 



246 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

TENEMENT HOUSES. 

The scarcity of laud in the city has led to the construction 
of numbers of buildings known as "Tenement Houses." 
These are large edifices, containing many rooms and, often, as 
many families. They abound chiefly in the Tenth, Eleventh, 
and Seventeenth Wards. The majority of persons living in 
these houses are foreigners. " It is not to be inferred, how- 
ever, that it is poverty only that causes such dense settlement, 
since a spirit of economy and frugality manifests itself among 
these people, which forbids too much expenditure for the 
high rents charged, or for much riding on the railroads." 
Still, whatever may be the causes which lead persons to herd 
together in such buildings, the effect is the same in all cases. 
The neighborhood becomes dirty and unhealthy, and the 
buildings themselves perfect pest-houses. Some of them are 
neat and tasteful in their exteriors, others are vile and filthy 
all over. 

They are now generally built for this purpose. As pe- 
cuniary investments they pay well, the rents sometimes yield- 
ing thirty-five per cent, on the investment. The following 
description will convey a fair idea of them to the reader. 
One of the houses stands on a lot with a front of fifty feet, 
and a depth of two hundred and fifty feet. It has an alley 
running the whole depth on each side of it. These alley- ways 
are excavated to the depth of the cellars, arched over, and 
covered with flag stones, in which, at intervals, are open grat- 
ings to give light below ; the whole length of which space is 
occupied 'by water closets, without doors, and under which 
are open drains communicating with the street sewers. The 
building is five stories high, and has a flat roof. The only 
ventilation is by a window, which opens against a dead wall 
eight feet distant, and to which rises the vapor from the vault 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 247 

below. There is water on each floor, and gas pipes are laid 
through the building, so that those who desire it can use gas. 
The building contains one hundred and twenty-six families, 
or about seven hundred inhabitants. Each family has a nar- 
row sitting-room, which is used also for working and eating, 
and a closet called a bed room. But few of the rooms are 
properly ventilated. The sun never shines in at the windows, 
and if the sky is overcast the rooms are so dark as to need 
artificial light. The whole house is dirty, and is filled with 
the mingled odors from the cooking-stoves and the sinks. In 
the winter the rooms are kept too close by the stoves, and in 
the summer the natural heat is made tenfold greater by the 
fires for cooking and washing. Pass these houses on a hot 
night, and you will see the streets in front of them filled with 
the occupants, and every window choked up with human 
heads, all panting and praying for relief and fresh air. Some- 
times the families living in the close rooms we have described, 
take " boarders," who pay a part of the expenses of the " es- 
tablishment." Formerly the occupants of these buildings 
emptied their filth and refuse matter into the public streets, 
which in these quarters were simply horrible to behold ; but 
of late years, the police, by compelling a rigid observance of 
the sanitary laws, have greatly improved the condition of the 
houses and streets, and consequently the health of the people. 
The reader must not suppose the house we have described 
is a solitary instance. There are many single blocks of 
dwellings containing twice the number of families residing 
on Fifth Avenue, on both sides of that street, from Washing- 
ton Square to the Park, or than a continuous row of dwellings 
similar to those on Fifth Avenue, three or four miles in length. 
There is a multitude of these squares, any of which contains 
a larger population than the whole city of Hartford, Connecti- 



248 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

out, which covers an area of seven miles.* There is one single 
house in the city which contains twelve hundred inhabitants. 

FALLEN FORTUNES. 

You will see all classes of people in these tenement houses, 
and, amongst others, persons who have known wealth and 
comfort. Alas! that it should be so. You will see them 
stealing along quickly and noiselessly, avoiding the other in- 
mates with an aversion they cannot conceal, and as if they 
fear to be recognized by some one who knew them in their 
better days. They live entirely to themselves, suffering more 
than those who have been used to poverty. If they can get 
work, they take it gladly and labor faithfully. If unable to 
procure it, they suffer, and often starve in silence. Only when 
driven by the direst necessity do they seek aid from charitable 
persons or associations. There are many of these men and 
women, persons of worth and refinement, in the great city, 
whose poverty and sufferings are known only to the eye that 
sees all things. 

A ROMANCE OF A CHIGNON. 

Many a fine lady, as she pauses in her toilette to admire 
the effect of the beautiful locks, for which she is indebted to 
her wealth rather than to nature, would shrink in horror from 
the glittering coils, could she know their whole story. We 
will tell it. 

A poor sewing girl, whose only riches consisted of a "wealth 
of hair," died in a tenement house in one of the most wretched 
quarters of the city. Her life had been a fearful struggle 
against want and temptation, and death was a relief to her 
She died alone, in her miserable home, with no one to minis- 



* Annual Encyclopaedia, 1861. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 249 

fcer to her last wants. Her death became known to the in- 
mates of the house, who notified the city authorities. Prepa- 
rations were made to lay the body in the " Potter's field/' 
and until these were completed it was left in the silence and 
loneliness of the chamber which had witnessed its mortal 
sufferings. While it lay there, the door was noiselessly 
opened, and a man, roughly dressed, with his face partly 
concealed, entered, glancing around carefully to see if he was 
noticed. Then closing the door quickly, he approached the 
body, and produced a pair of large shears ; lifting the lifeless 
form roughly with one hand, with the other he severed the 
long tresses quickly from the cold head, and gathering them 
up, departed as noiselessly as he had come, taking with him 
the only source of happiness the dead woman had ever pos- 
sessed. The braid was sold for a mere trifle to a fashionable 
hair-dresser, who asked no questions concerning it, and when 
it was seen next, it was worn by some fine lady, who, in her 
thoughtless vanity, never paused to consider its history. 



CHAPTEE XXVI. 

POOR GIRLS. 

We cannot hope to do justice to this branch of our subject. 
To treat it properly would require a volume, for it is full ol 
the saddest, sternest, and most truthful romance. A writer 
in Putnam's Magazine for April, 1868, presented an able and 
authentic paper on this subject, which is so full and inter-* 
esting that we have decided to quote a few extracts from it 
here, in place of any statement of our own. 

" Where the Bowery runs into Chatham street, we pause, 
and from within our close-buttoned overcoats look out over 
our mufflers at the passing throng. There are many novel 
features in it, but let them pass. Note these thinly-clad 
creatures who hurry shivering past, while the keen wind 
searches, with icy fingers, through their scanty garments, and 
whirls the blinding snow in their pitiful, wearied faces. We 
count them by tens, by scores, by hundreds, as we stand pa- 
tiently here — all bearing the same general aspect of counte- 
nance, all hurrying anxiously forward, as if this morning's 
journey were the most momentous, one of their whole lives. 
But they take the same journey every morning, year in and 
year out, whether the sun shines or the rain falls, or the bleak 
winds whistle and the snow sweeps in their faces, with a pain 
like the cutting of knives. The same faces go past in this 
dreary procession month after month. Occasionally one will 
be missing — she is dead. Another : she is worse than dead — 
her face had beauty in it. Thus one by one I have seen them 
250 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 251 

drop away — caught by disease, born of their work and their 
want, bringing speedy end to the weary, empty life ; caught 
by temptation and drawn into the giddy maelstrom of sin, to 
come out no more forever. 

"To-morrow morning take your stand at Fulton or 
Catharine ferry, and you shall see much such another pro- 
cession go shivering by. The next day station yourself 
somewhere on the west side, say in Canal street, a few blocks 
from Broadway; here it is again. If Asmocleus-like, you 
could hover in the air above the roofs of the town, and look 
down upon its myriad streets at this hour, you would see such 
processions in every quarter of the metropolis. The spectacle 
would help you to form some idea of the vastness of the theme 
now on our hands. 

Let us define the poor girls as those who are forced to earn 
whatever food they eat, whatever clothing they wear, by hard 
toil ; girls who do not receive one cent, one crumb, from the 
dead, helpless, or recreant parents who brought them into the 
world. It is, of course, impossible to give their number 
accurately ; but there is a result attainable by persistent ob 
servation, day by day and week by week, at all hours, and in 
all sorts of places, which is quite as reliable and satisfactory 
as any that is obtainable through blundering census-takers ; 
and I know this army of poor girls to be one of great magni- 
tude. The sewing girls alone I have heard estimated at thirty 
thousand, by one whose life is in every day contact with thern, 
and has been for years. This is but a single class among the 
poor girls, reflect. The estimate may be deemed an exaggera- 
ted one. Then we will disarm criticism by taking it at half its 
word. If, accordingly, we say thirty thousand for the whole — for 
all classes — it is still a vague figure. * * * Few persons ever 
saw thirty thousand people gathered together. But we all 



252 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

comprehend distances. If this army of poor girls were to form 
in a procession together, it would be more than ten miles long." 

THE SEWING GIRLS. 

There are two classes of sewing girls in New York. Those 
who work at home, and those who go out to work at places 
provided by their employers. Those who work at home are 
comparatively few. They stay there not from choice, but 
from necessity. Bodily deformity, or infirmity, or sickness, 
or invalid parents, or relatives, whom they are unable to leave, 
keeps them there. 

The writer in Putnam, to whose deeply interesting state- 
ment we refer the reader for further information on this point, 
found a poor girl of this class, who was kept at home by the 
sickness of her consumptive father, living and working in a 
miserable tenement house in the upper part of Mulberry 
street. After a brief conversation with her, he asked : 

" ' What rent do you pay for this room, Mary ? ' 

" ' Four dollars a month, sir.' 

" That," he continues, " is little more than thirteen cents a 
day, you will observe. 

" ' What do you get for making such a shirt as that ? ' 

" ' Six cents, sir.' 

" ' What ! You make a? shirt for sis cents ? ' 

"'Yes, sir, and furnish the thread.' 

" If my reader is incredulous, I can assure him that Mary 
does not tell a falsehood ; for I know that this price is paid 
by some of the most ' respectable ' firms in New York. 

" < Can't you get work to do at higher prices ?' 

a ' Sometimes, sir. But these folks are better than many 
others; they pay regularly. Some who offer better prices 
will cheat, or they won't pay when the work is carried home. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 253 

These folks give me plenty of work, and I never have to 
wait ; so I don't look around for better. I can't afford to take 
the risk, sir ; so many will cheat us.' 

" Eespectability is a good thing, you see. Let me whisper 
a few other prices to you, which respectability pays its poor 
girls. Fifteen or twenty cents for making a linen coat, com- 
plete ; sixty -two cents per dozen for making men's heavy over- 
alls ; one dollar a dozen for making flannel shirts. Figures 
are usually very humdrum affairs, but what a story they tell 
here ! These last prices I did not get from Mary. I got them 
in the first place, from a benevolent lady who works with 
heart and hand, day after daj r , all her time, in endeavoring to 
better the condition of the poor girls of New York. But I 
got them, in the second place, from the employers themselves. 
By going to them, pencil in hand, and desiring the cheerful 
little particulars for publication ? Hardly ! I sent my office- 
boy out in search of work for an imaginary ' sister,' and to 
inquire what would be paid her. Having inquired, and got 
his answer, it is needless to say that James concluded his sister 
could live without taking in sewing. 

" So, you see, that in order merely to pay her rent, Mary 
must make two shirts a day. That being done, she must 
make more to meet her other expenses. She has fuel to buy 
— and a pail of coal costs her fifteen cents. She has food to 
buy — but she eats very little, her father still less. She has 
not tasted meat of any kind for over a year, she tells us. 
What then does she eat ? Bread and potatoes, principally ; 
she drinks a cup of cheap tea, without milk or sugar, at night 
— provided she has any, which she frequently has not. She 
has also to buy (I am not painting fancy pictures, I am stat- 
ing facts, which are not regulated by any rules known to our 
experience) 'a trifle of whiskey.' Mary's father was not 



254 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

reared a teetotaller, and though I was, and have no taste for 
liquor, I am able to see how a little whiskey may be the 
last physical solace possible to this miserable man, whose feet 
press the edge of a consumptive's grave. 

"Perhaps you think it cannot be any of our first and 
wealthiest firms that pay poor girls starvation prices for their 
work. But you are mistaken. If my publishers did not 
deem it unwise to do so, I should give the names of some of 
our best Broadway houses as among the offenders against 
the poor girls." 

A LIFE-STRUGGLE. 

"Let us follow one of these poor girls," says the writer we 
have quoted, " as she comes out of the den of this beast of prey, 
and moves off, wringing her hands in an agony of distress. 
Day and night, with wearying industry, she had been work- 
ing upon the dozen shirts he had given her to make. She had 
been looking forward — with what eagerness you can hardly 
realize — to the hour when she could carry him her work and 
get her pay, and recover her deposit money or receive more 
shirts to do. Now she is turned into the street with nothing! 
She dares not return to her miserable boarding-place in 
Dolancey street, for her Irish landlady is clamorous for the 
two weeks' board now due. Six dollars ! The sum is enor- 
mous to her. She had expected that to-night she could hand 
the Irish woman the money she had earned, and that it, with 
a promise of more soon, might appease her. But now she 
has nothing for her — nothing. Despair settles down upon 
her. Hunger is its companion, for she has had no supper. 
Where shall she go ? 

"Night has come down since she left Delancey street, carry- 
ing the heavy bundle of new-made shirts. The streets are lighted 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 255 

up, and are alive with, bustle. Heedless what course she 
takes, unnoticed, uncared-for by any in the great ocean of 
humanity whose waves surge about her, she wander? on, and 
by-and-by turns into Broadway. Broadway, ever brilliant — 
with shop windows where wealth gleams in a thousand rare 
and beautiful shapes ; Broadway, with its crowding omnibuses 
and on-pouring current of life, its. Niagara roar, its dazzle — 
is utter loneliness to her. The fiery letters over the theatre 
entrances are glowing in all the colors of the rainbow. Grayly- 
attired ladies, girls of her own age, blest with lovers or 
brothers, are streaming in at the portal, beyond which she 
imagines every delight — music, and beauty, and perfume of 
flowers, and warmth. She looks in longingly, hugging her 
shivering shoulders under her sleazy shawl, till a policeman 
bids her ' move on.' Out of the restaurants there float deli- 
cious odors of cooking meats, making her hungrier still. Her 
eyes rest, with a look half wild and desperate, on the painted 
women who pass, in rustling silks, and wearing the semblance 
of happiness. At least they are fed — they are clothed — they 
can sit in bright parlors, though they sit with sin. It is 
easy to yield to temptation. ' So many do ! You little know 
how many. In Paris, she might perhaps go and throw her- 
self into the Seine. In New York, such suicides are not 
common; but there is a moral suicide, which is common. 
Thousands on thousands of poor girls have thrown them- 
selves into this stream, in the last agony of desperation ; sink- 
ing down in the dark current of sin, to be heard of no more. 

"But this poor wanderer has memories of a home, and a 
mother, under whose protection she had been taught to 
shudder at sin. She cannot plunge into this ghastly river 
with wide-open eyes — at least, not yet. She walks on. 

" Her ear is caught by sounds of music and laughter, songs 



206 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

and bursts of applause, that come up out of these basement- 
haunting concert saloons. She has heard of the 'pretty 
waiter girls' — the fine clothes they wear, the gay lives they 
lead, their only labor to wait upon the patrons of the saloon, 
and chat With them as they sit about the tables listening tc 
■the music. 'It is a life of Paradise,' she murmurs, 'to this 
life I lead i' At least, she thinks, there is no actual sin in 
being a waiter girl. She perceives a wide distance between 
the descent of these basement stairs to solicit employment, 
and that other dreadful resource. 

" The poor girls who work in these underground hells do 
not get good pay, and their work is not light. They are 
confined in these noisome places, thick with tobacco smoke 
and foul with poisonous odors, till two o'clock in the morn- 
ing ; in some places till five o'clock. Their pay is four dollars 
to six dollars a week ; higher figures, certainly, than thou- 
sands of working-girls get, but, for two reasons, lower, in 
effect. The first of these two reasons is, that the waiter girl 
must dress with some degree of attractiveness. The second, and 
the most weighty, is, that she must pay a high price for board. 
Going home long after midnight, she must live somewhere in 
the vicinity of the saloon. Then the woman who, having 
taken a girl to board, finds that she comes home after two 
o'clock every night, draws her own conclusions at once 
That girl must pay well for her board, if, indeed, she be not 
turned out of the house without a word. It will scarcely help 
the matter, if the girl explains that she is employed at a con- 
cert saloon. The woman knows very well what 'pretty 
waiter girls' are. 'Those creatures' must pay for what they 
have, and pay roundly. The result is, that the waiter girl's 
occupation will not support her. The next result is, that 
there are no virtuous girls in the concert saloons of Broad- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 257 

way — unless they be such girls as this we are following to- 
night, as she wanders the streets, pausing to look down into 
this fancied half-Paradise, only to enter it at last, in search of 
'good pay.' 

" Let us go down with her. She pushes open the green- 
baize door, and walks timidly to the bar. A girl who is 
passably pretty can almost always get a situation here. The 
big-armed prize-fighter-looking brute behind the bar reads 
our wanderer's history at once. 'Fresh' girls are rare in 
that quarter. She is assisted to improve her dress a little — • 
in some cases these girls are provided with a fancy costume, 
a la Turque, which they don at coming, and doff at leaving 
each night — and she commences her work. A crowd of half- 
drunk rowdies enter, and call on her to serve them, attracted 
by her sweet face. The grossest insults are put upon her, 
her character being taken for granted ; infamous liberties are 
taken with her person, and her confusion laughed at. She 
would fly from the place at once, if she dared ; but she does 
not dare — she is afraid of the man behind the bar. Her ex- 
perience with men has taught her to expect nothing but 
brutality from them, if she offend them in any way. When 
the weary hours have dragged along to the end, and the place 
is closed, she goes out into the street again, with a bevy of 
other girls. The street is still and lonely ; the long lines of 
lamps twinkle in silence ; the shop windows are all shrouded 
in darkness; there are no rumbling wheels, save when an 
occasional hack passes with slow-trotting horses. 

"Now she must decide upon her course. This is the 
critical moment. Will she adhere to her new-found employ 
ment ? If she do, one of her companions will volunteer to 
take her to a boarding-place — and from that hour she is lost. 
But perhaps she breaks away : a policeman saunters by, and 
16 



258 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

she appeals to him, begging to be taken to a station-house to 
sleep — a common resource with the homeless poor girl — and 
on the morrow resumes her deathly struggle for existence. 
How long it will last — how long she will fight her almost 
inevitable fate — no one can tell. 

"But the poor girls who work in shops provided by their 
employers, fare better, you think. At least, they find shelter 
and warmth in the cold winter, while at work ? At least, 
they are permitted to breathe and live." 

THE WORKSHOPS OF THE POOR GIRLS. 

There are hoop-skirt manufactories where, in the inces- 
sant din of machinery, girls stand upon weary feet all day 
iong for fifty cents. There are photograph galleries — you 
pass them in Broadway admiringly — where girls 'mount' 
photographs in dark rooms, which are hot in summer and 
cold in winter, for the same money. There are girls who make 
fans, who work in feathers, who pick over and assort rags for 
paper warehouses, who act as ' strippers ' in tobacco shops, 
who make caps, and paper boxes, and toys, and almost all 
all imaginable things. There are milliners' girls, and bindery 
girls, and printers' girls— press-feeders, bookfolders, hat- 
trimmers. It is not to be supposed that all these places are 
objectionable ; it is not to be supposed that all the places where 
sewing-girls work are objectionable ; but among each class 
there are very many — far too many — where evils of the 
gravest character exist, where the poor girls are wronged, 
the innocents suffer. There are places where there are not 
sufficient fires kept, in cold weather, and where the poor girl, 
coming in wet and shivering from the storm, must go imme- 
diately to work, wet as she is, and so continue all day. There 
ire places where the 'silent system' of prisons is rigidly en- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITT . 259 

forced, where there are severe penalties for whispering to 
one's neighbor, and where the windows are closely curtained, 
so that no girl can look out upon the street ; thus, in advance, 
inuring the girls to the hardships of prison discipline, in view 
of the possibility that they may some day become criminals ! 
There are places where the employer treats his girls like 
slaves, in every sense of the word. Pause a moment, and 
reflect on all that signifies. As in the South ' as it was,' some 
of these girls are given curses, and even blows, and even 
hicks ; while others are special favorites either of 'the boss,' 
or of some of his male subordinates, and dress well, pay four 
dollars a week for board, and fare well generally — on a salary 
of three dollars a week." 

TEMPTATIONS. 

"Until you have lived the life of the working girl, lady, 
reading this page, you cannot know what their temptation 
is — how hard it is to keep away sin and shame. By all 
the doors at which temptation can enter to you, it enters 
to them ; and by many other doors of which you know 
nothing by experience. It comes in the guise of friendship 
to them, who are utterly friendless in the world. It comes in 
the guise of love — and do you think the poor girl never 
yearns for the caressing touch of love's palm on her aching 
brow ? never longs to be folded in the comforting embrace of 
love's strong arms ? Ah $& knows the worth of love ! It 
comes, too, through womanly vanity, as it does to her hap- 
pier sisters, who sit higher in the social scale. But in addi- 
tion to these, temptation comes to the poor girl through the 
tortures of a hunger which gnaws upon the vitals — of a cold 
which chills the young blood with its ice — of a weariness 
under which the limbs tremble, the head reels, the whole 
frame sinks prostrate. 



260 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

" If you were starving, and could not otherwise get food, 
possibly you would steal it. I would. If hunger will rouse 
strong men to active crime, how easy must it be for it to lead 
the poor- girl to a merely passive sin ! Yet she struggles with 
a bravery which few would give her credit for — with this, as 

with all her temptations. There was Agnes , a beautiful 

girl of seventeen, who resisted the temptation that came to- 
iler through her own employer. He discharged her. Unable 
to pay her board, she was turned into the streets. It was a 
bitter day in January. F 'or four days she wandered the streets, 
looking for work — only for work. ' I envied the boys who 
shoveled snow from the sidewalks. I would gladly have done 
their work for half they got.' Hungry, she pawned her shawl. 
When that was gone, she went twenty-four hours with- 
out a crumb, shivering through the streets. At night, she 
slept in the station-house — without a bed, thankful for mere 
shelter. Again and again she was tempted ; but she did not 
yield. She found work at last, and leads her cruel life still, 

patiently and uncomplaining. There was Caroline G , 

who came from the West to New York, fancying the great 
city would have plenty of work to give her. She, too, wan- 
dered the streets, and slept at night in the station-house. On 
the third day — which was the Christian Sabbath — mercy 
seemed to have found her. A gentlemanly appearing person 
spoke to her, and learning her want, offered to give her a 
place as seamstress in his family. He lived a short distance 
in the country, he said, and took her to a hotel to stay till 
next day, when they would tftke the cars for his home. The 
hotel was an elegant one ; the room given her was hung with 
silk and lace ; but she preferred the hard floor of the station- 
house, that night, to its luxurious state — for her 'protector' 
was a wolf in sheep's clothing." 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE STREET BOYS. 

You can scarcely walk a single block without your atten- 
tion being drawn to one or more of the class called " street ' 
boys." "We have already devoted a separate chapter to the 
musicians, and we must now endeavor to give the reader an 
idea of the rest of this class. 

THE NEWSBOYS. 

Every morning, by times, and every afternoon between 
one o'clock and dark, if you chance to be in the neighbor- 
hood of Printing House Square, you will see throngs of 
boys rushing frantically out of the cellars of the printing 
houses of the daily journals. They have barely passed tbe 
portals, when they set up their morning cry, in a shrill, 
sharp tone, " 'Ere's your ' 'Braid,' ' Mornin' Times,' ' Buy a 
Tribune?' " etc. In the afternoon, they scream into your 
ears the names of the " News," " Mail," " Express," " Tele- 
gram," " Post," and other evening journals, flavoring their 
announcements with shouts such as these : " 'Nuther mur- 
der !" " Tremendous sensation 1" " Orful shootin' scrape !" 
" 'Orrible haccident !" and so on. They climb up on the 
steps of the stage, thrust their grim little faces in the win- 
dows, and almost bring nervous passengers to their feet by 
their yells ; or, scrambling into a street car, they will offer 
you their papers in such an earnest, appealing way, that, 
nine times out of ten, you will buy them out of sheer piur 
for the boys. 

261 



262 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

The boys who sell the morning papers are very few in 
number. The newspaper stands seem to have the whole mo- 
nopoly of this branch of the trade, and the efforts of the 
newsboys are confined to the afternoon journals — especially 
the cheap ones — some of which, however, are dear bargains 
at a penny. They swarm around the City Hall, and in the 
eastern section of the city, below Canal street ; and in the 
former locality, half a dozen will sometimes surround a 
luckless pedestrian, thrusting their wares in his face, and 
literally forcing him to buy one to get rid of them. The 
moment he shows the least disposition to yield, they com- 
mence fighting amongst themselves for the "honor" of serv- 
ing him. They are ragged and dirty. Some have no coats, 
no shoes, and no hat. Some are simply stupid, others are 
bright, intelligent little fellows, who would make good and 
useful men if they could have a chance. 

The majority of these boys live at home, but many of 
them are wanderers in the streets, selling papers at times, 
and begging at others. Some pay their earnings, which 
rarely amount to more than thirty cents per day, to their 
mothers — others spend them in tobacco, strong drink, and in 
visiting the low-class theatres and concert halls. 

Formerly, these little fellows suffered very much from ex- 
posure and hunger. In the cold nights of winter, they slept 
on the stairways of the newspaper offices, in old boxes or 
barrels, under door steps, and sometimes sought a " warm 
bed" on the street gratings of the printing offices, where the 
warm steam from the vaults below could pass over them. 
The attention of the " Children's Aid Association" was 
called to their hardships in 1854, and an effort was made to 
relieve them by establishing a 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 263 

NEWSBOYS' LODGING HOUSE. 

This is now situated in Park Place, near Broadway, and is 
richly worth visiting. It is always full at night. The boys 
pay five cents for supper, and five cents for bed. " The 
whole of the arrangements are under the superintendence of 
Mr. and Mrs. O'Conner, who have been most efficient in their 
management of the house. It requires a great deal of tact 
to keep these boys under proper discipline, without, at the 
same time, letting them feel that the restrictions are too se- 
vere. Supper is served for them between six and seven 
o'clock, and is of plain, substantial materials. The boys then 
adjourn to the lecture-room, where they are supplied with 
books, and where, in the course of the evening, they unite 
in singing various hymns. Occasionally, gentlemen come in 
and give lectures. Some of the boys are eager to learn to 
write, and are supplied with writing materials. The sitting 
generally terminates about nine o'clock, with the recitation 
of the Lord's Prayer and the singing of the Doxology. The 
singing is marked with force, rather than great accuracy ; it 
sometimes partakes very much of the character of a bawl. 
But the lads are amused, and perhaps a little instructed, so 
something is gained. After these exercises, the tired ones go 
to bed, the lively blades to the gymnasium, the philosophic 
apply themselves to draughts or dominoes. The gymnasium 
is a most amusing place. There is one little boy, named 
' Chris,' a newsboy, aged eleven, who lost his leg by being 
rode over by a coal cart, about four years ago, whose agility 
is perfectly wonderful. He throws aside the crutch with dis- 
dain, hops across the room with incredible swiftness, seizes 
the rings of the swing, and flies through the air like a bird. 
Some of the newsboys have considerable savings, and are 
very well-conducted lads. Last month, one of them picked 



264 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

up a roll of bills amounting to two hundred dollars. He 
brought it immediately to Mr. O'Conner, and asked his ad- 
vice. It was decided that the finding should be advertised ; 
but as the owner was not forthcoming, the boy placed his 
savings in u bank, and has added considerably to the original 
amount." 

THE BOOTBLACKS. 

The bootblacks form a peculiar feature of New York life. 
They are boys from ten to sixteen years of age. A few are 
older, and there are some men following this avocation on 
the street. The boys, however, are always meant when this 
class is referred to. Some of them are newsboys early in 
the morning, and bootblacks for the rest of the day. 

They provide themselves with a box, with a sliding lid 
and a rest for the feet of their customers, a box of blacking, 
and a pair of good brushes. All the articles are kept in the 
box, when not in use, and the owner carries this receptacle 
by means of a leather strap fastened to it. This he slings 
across his shoulder, and trudges on with his box on his back. 
The headquarters of this class are in or near the Five Points 
district. They form a regular confraternity, and have their, 
own laws or customs. They are generally sharp, shrewd 
lads, with any number of bad habits, and little or no prin- 
ciple. They are averse to giving much information with 
respect to themselves or their society, admission into which 
requires a payment of two dollars. To what purpose the 
money thus obtained is devoted, it is hard to say, but the 
object of the association seems to be mutual protection. The 
" Order " establishes a fixed price for labor, and takes care 
to protect its members against the competition of irregular 
intruders. The established price, for blacking a pair of boots 
or shoes, is ten cents. When it is known to a member that 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 2G5 

an outsider is blacking for a less sum, the fact is reported to 
the society, which appoints a delegation to look after the 
presumptuous individual. He is promptly warned that he 
must work for the regular price, or " quit work." If he de 
clines to do either, his head, in the elegant language of the 
society, is " punched," and he is driven from the street. The 
affairs of the society are managed by a " Captain of the 
bootblacks," whose word is supreme, and who wields his 
power as all arbitrary rulers do. 

The price of a new outfit, or " kit," such as we have de- 
scribed, is from two to three dollars. Second-hand outfits 
can be bought of the junk-dealers for much less. When 
asked how much they earn, the boys give evasive an- 
swers, and it has been said that their society does not 
permit them to tell the truth upon this subject. One dollar 
is supposed to be the average daily earning of an industrious 
boy. The writer was once much amused by a little fellow 
telling him, with an air of great importance, that he was 
going that night to attend the trial of Bill Simpson, a recre- 
ant bootblack, who was to be " brought afore the s'ciety for 
blacking boots for five cents." The trial must have been 
edifying. "Where and when the society meets, and what is 
the nature of its transactions, are secrets known only to the 
initiated. 

A large part of the earnings of the bootblacks is spent for 
tobacco and drink. They are patrons of the Bowery the- 
atres and concert halls, and their criticisms of the perform- 
ances are frequently worth hearing. The " Children's Aid 
Society" makes them objects of its especial care, its great 
end and aim being " to induce the boys to emigrate to the 
West. The course of life which they pursue leads to mis- 
erable results. When a bootblack gets to be seventeen, he 



266 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

finds that his career is at an end — it does not produce money 
enough — and he has acquired lazy, listless habits, which to- 
tally unfit him for any kind of work. He becomes a loafer, 
a vagrant, and perhaps worse. To save boys from this fate, 
the society labors most earnestly to induce them to go to 
the West ; and it is stated that the desire of the boys to 
secure western homes increases year by year. Up to the 
present time about seven hundred have been sent out, 
and many of them are now filling respectable positions in 
iociety." 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

BEGGARS. 

After living in New York for a few months, you cannot 
resist the conclusion that it is a City of Beggars. You meet 
them at every step, and they follow you into your residence 
and place of business. A few you know to be genuine, and 
you give them gladly, but cannot resist the conviction that 
the majority of those who accost you are simply impostors, 
as, indeed, they are. Begging is not allowed on the street- 
cars, in the stages, the ferry-boats, or at any place of amuse- 
ment, but there is no law against the practice of it on the 
streets. Broadway is the favorite resort of this class, as it is 
the principal promenade of the city people, and Fourteenth, 
and Twenty-third streets, and Fifth Avenue are being made 
disagreeable in this way. 

Besides these street beggars, there are numbers of genteel, 
and doubtless well-meaning persons who make it their 
business to beg for others. They intrude upon you at the 
most inconvenient times, and venture into your private 
apartments with a freedom and assurance which positively 
amaze you. Eefuse them, and they are insulting. 

Then there are those who approach you by means of 
letters. They send you the most pitiful appeals for aid, and 
assure you that nothing but the direst necessity induces 
them to send you such a letter, and that they would not do 
so under any circumstances, were not they aware of your 
well-known charitable disposition. Some persons of known 

267 



268 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

wealth receive as many as a dozen letters of this kind each 
day. They are, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, 
from impostors, and are properly consigned to the waste- 
basket. 

Housekeepers have frequent applications every day for 
food. These are generally complied with, as, in all families 
of moderate size, there is much that must either be given or 
thrown away. Children and old people generally do this 
kind of begging. They come with long faces and pitiful 
voices, and ask for food in the most doleful tones. Grant 
their requests, and you will be amused at the cool manner in 
which they will produce large baskets, filled with provisions, 
and deposit your gift therein. Many Irish families find all 
their provisions in this way. 

A lady desirous of helping a little child who was in the 
habit of coming to her on such errands, once asked her what 
her mother's occupation was ? 

" She keeps a boardin' house," was the innocent reply. 
"A boarding house!" exclaimed the lady in surprise, 
"then why does she send you out to beg?" 

" Oh !" said the child naively, " she takes care of the house, 
and I do the marketing. She doesn't call it begging." 

The cool impudence of street beggars is often amusing. 
The writer was sitting a short while since in the office of a 
friend, when a man entered and began a most pitiful story. 
The gentleman gave him a penny or two, then looking at 
him for the first time, said : 

"How is this, my friend ? This is the second time you 
have been here to-day. I gave you something this morning." 
The man had evidently blundered into the office this time, 
and he now glanced at the gentleman and about the room, 
searchingly. lie recognized them, and bursting into a 
laugh at his mistake, left the room without replying. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 269 

The majority of the beggars of the City, we are glad to 
say, are foreigners and their children. An American mendi- 
cant is rarely seen. Our people will suffer in silence rather 
than beg, but the foreigners do not seem to be influenced by 
any such feelings. They are used to it, no doubt, in their 
own country, and bring their pauper habits over here with 
them. We make an exception in favor of the Germans. 
They are a hard-working people and rarely beg. 

The City makes a liberal provision for the poor, and the 
charitable associations do much more, but still it is im- 
possible ,to relieve all the suffering. The reader will find in 
one of the engravings of this work, an instance of the 
manner in which the poor are provided with food at the 
Combs. 



CHAPTEE XXIX. 

EMIGRANTS. 

Nine tenths of the emigration from Europe to the United 
States is through the port of New York, So large is the 
number of emigrants arriving here, that the authorities have 
been compelled to establish a depot for the especial accomo- 
dation of this class. This depot is located at 

THE BATTERY. 

The Battery was formerly one of the most delightful spots 
in New York. It occupies the extreme lower end of the 
island, and commands a fine view of the bay and harbor. It 
had formerly a granite sea-wall, along which was the favorite 
promenade of the city, and was shaded by a grove of fine 
oaks which the Dutch settlers had been wise enough to spare. 
It was almost triangular in form, and on two sides was built 
up with stately mansions of the old style, which were occupied 
by the elite of the metropolis. It had an elegant and aristo- 
cratic air, which made it very attractive to both native and 
visitor. 

The houses and trees are still standing, but the dwellers 
who made the place so gay, twenty years ago, have flown up 
the island, and the buildings are occupied with the offices of 
the various shipping lines, that ply between this and other 
ports ; and by cheap hotels, bar-rooms, and sailors' boarding 
houses, the grass in the enclosure is trodden down, and the 
place is both dirty and repulsive. The railing is lined with 
long rows ot street-venders' stalls, and the gates have been 
270 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 271 

taken away. Crowds of emigrants, drunken men, slovenly 
women and dirty children are to be seen at all hours of the 
day in the old park, and the only beauty still clinging to the 
scene is in the expanse of blue water which stretches away 
from -it seaward. At night the Battery is not a safe place to 
visit, for its frequenters respect neither life nor property, and 
the bay is close at hand to hide all traces of crime. 

CASTLE GARDEN. 

The emigrant ships, both sail vessels and steamers, anchor 
in the river after entering the port. They generally lie off 
their own piers, and wait for the Custom-House boat to board 
them. As soon as this is done, and the necessary forms are 
gone through with, preparations are made to land the emi- 
grants, as the ship cannot enter her berth at the pier till this 
duty is accomplished. The emigrants and their baggage are 
placed on board the Custom-House steamer, and are at once 
conveyed to Castle Garden, a round building which juts out 
into the water at the extreme end of the Battery. 

In the year 1807 work was commenced on this building by 
the General Government, the site having been ceded by the 
city. It was intended to erect a strong fortification, to be 
called Castle Clinton, but, in 1820, it was discovered that the 
foundations were not strong enough to bear heavy ordnance, 
and Congress reconveyed the site to the city. The building 
was then completed as an opera house, and used for operatic 
and theatrical performances, concerts, and public receptions. 
It was the largest and most elegant hall of its kind in the 
country, and was a favorite resort of pleasure seekers. Jenny 
Lind sang there, during her visit to the United States. It 
was used for this purpose until the year 1855, when, the 
fashion and wealth of the city having removed too high up 



272 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

town to make it profitable, it was leased to the Commissioners 
of Emigration, as a landing-place for emigrants. 

This Commission has the exclusive charge of the Landing 
Depot and its inmates. It is composed of six Commissioners, 
appointed by the Governor of the State. The Mayors of 
New York and Brooklyn, and the Presidents of the Irish 
and German Emigrant Societies, are members ex-officio. They 
are responsible to the Legislature for their acts. 

The Landing Depot is fitted up with quarters for the 
emigrants and their baggage, and with various stores at 
which they can procure articles of necessity at moderate 
prices. As most of them come provided with some money, 
there is an exchange office in the enclosure, at which they 
jan procure American currency for their foreign money. 
Vlany of them come furnished with railroad tickets to their 
destinations in the West, which they have purchased in 
Europe, but the majority buy their tickets in this city. 
There is an office for this purpose in the building, at which 
the agents of the various lines leading from the city to the 
Great AVest are prepared to sell tickets. No one is compelled 
to transact his business in the building, but all are advised to 
do so, as they will then be fairly treated ; while they are in 
danger of falling into the hands of swindlers outside. Attached 
to the establishment is an official, whose duty it is to furnish 
any information desired by the emigrants, and to advise them 
as to the boarding houses of the city which are worthy of 
their patronage. The keepers of these houses are held to a 
strict account of their treatment of their guests. 

The majority of the emigrants go West in a few days after 
their arrival. Some have already decided on their place of 
future abode before leaving Europe, and others are influenced 
by the information they receive after reaching this country. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 273 

Should they desire to remain in this city they are frequently 
able to obtain employment, through the Labor Exchange 
connected with the Landing Depot, and by the same means 
many obtain work in other parts of the country — the Com- 
missioners taking care that the contracts thus made are lawful 
and fair to both parties. 

As we have said, the greater number of the emigrants 
arriving here have money when they come. Others, who 
have been able to raise only enough to reach this, to them, 
"land of promise," or who have been swindled out of their 
funds by sharpers in European ports, arrive here in the most 
destitute condition. These are a burden to the city and 
State at first, and are at once sent to the 

EMIGRANT REFUGE AND HOSPITAL. 

This establishment is located on Ward's Island, in tha 
Harlem River, and consists of several large buildings for 
hospitals, nurseries, and other purposes. It has a farm of 
one hundred and six acres attached to it. The destitute 
emigrants are sent to this establishment, as soon as their 
condition is ascertained, and cared for until they cither 
obtain employment, or are provided for by their friends in 
this country, or are sent to their original destinations in the 
West at the expense of the Commissioners. Medical atten- 
dance is provided at the Landing Depot, and is free to all 
needing it. Serious cases are sent to the hospital on Ward's 
Island, where good medical skill and attendance are furnished. 

The number of emigrants at the Refuge sometimes amounts 
to several hundred of all nationalities. The Irish and German 
elements predominate, and these being bitterly hostile to each 
other, the authorities are frequently compelled to adopt severe 
measures to prevent an open collision between them. In the 
17 



274 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

winter of 1867-68, the Irish and German residents on the 
island came to blows, and a bloody not immediately began 
between them, which was only quelled by the prompt arrival 
of a strong force of the City Police. 

PERILS OF EMIGRANTS. 

The Commissioners adopt every means in their power to 
prevent the inmates of the Landing Depot from falling into 
the hands of sharpers. Each emigrant in passing out of the 
enclosure for any purpose is required to apply for a permit, 
without which he cannot return, and no one is allowed, by the 
policeman on duty at the gate, to enter without permission 
from the proper authorities. In this way sharpers and 
' swindlers are kept out of the enclosure, inside of which the 
emigrant is perfectly safe ; and when he ventures out ne is 
warned of the dangers he will have to encounter the moment 
he passes the gateway. 

The majority of the emigrants are unable to speak our 
language, and all are ignorant of the country, its laws, and 
customs. This makes them an easy prey to the villains who 
throng the Battery in wait for them. 

Approaching these poor creatures, as they are gazing about 
them with the timidity and loneliness of strangers in a strange 
land, the scoundrels will accost them in their own language. 
Glad to hear the mother-tongue once more, the emigrant 
readily enters into conversation with the fellow, and reveals 
to him his destination, his plans, and the amount of money 
he has with him. The sharper, after some pleasantries meant 
to lull the suspicions of his victim, offers to show him where 
he can purchase his railroad tickets at a lower rate than at 
the office in the Landing Depot, and, if the emigrant is willing, 
conducts him to a house in Washington, Greenwich, West, 




CASTLE GARDEN, THE PLACE WHERE EMIGRANTS LAND — SHARPERS TRYI*' Ts .WINDLE THEM. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 275 

or some neighboring street, where a confederate sells him the 
so-called railroad tickets and receives his money. lie is then 
conducted back to the Battery by a different route, and the 
sharper leaves him. Upon inquiring at the office, he learns 
that his cheap tickets are so much worthless paper, and that 
he has been swindled out of his money, which may be his all. 
Of course he is unable to find the place where he was robbed, 
and has no redress for his loss. 

Others again are led off, by persons who pretend to be 
friends, to take a friendly drink in a neighboring saloon. Their 
liquor is drugged, and they are soon rendered unconscious, 
when they are robbed of their money, valuables, and even 
their clothes, and turned out into the street in this condition, 
to be picked up by the police. 

All sorts of worthless wares are palmed off upon them by 
unscrupulous wretches. They are drawn into gaming and 
are fleeced out of their money. Dozens of sharpers are on 
the watch for them, and woe to them if they fall into the 
hands of these wretches. 

Women are prominent amongst the enemies of the emi- 
grants. The proprietors of the dance-houses and brothels 
of the city send their agents to the Battery, to watch their 
opportunity to entice the fresh, healthy emigrant girls to 
their hells. They-draw them away by promises of profitable 
employment, and other shams, and carry them off to the 
houses of their heartless masters and mistresses. There they 
are drugged and ruined, or in other ways literally forced into 
lives of shame. 



CHAPTEK XXX. 

THE BUMMERS. 

From a recent number of the New York 'Ernes, we take 
the following excellent description of this class, which is 
peculiar to the Metropolis : — 

"Like the Western Army and Army of the Potomac 
during the war, the City of New York possesses its troop of 
bummers — men who hate the discipline of life, detest march- 
ing in the ranks of workers, and hold industry in abomina- 
tion. They consist of two classes, the temporary, made so 
by misfortune, or their own fault, and the permanent; who 
are so from their own deliberate choice. The first deserve 
what they seldom receive — our pity and sympathy, while 
the second equally rarely obtain their just deserts of con- 
tempt and disgust. The regular bummer is a mixture 
of the thief and beggar, usually possessing more of the 
characteristics of the latter than the former, as his cowardice 
and indolence prevent him from rising high in the ranks of 
criminals. His strongest feeling is a horror of all regular 
employment ; his chief happiness is to lie with a well-filled 
stomach on the Battery, in the sun, and sleep ; his hell, or 
' infinite dread,' is to be arrested by the police and be sent 
to the Island as a vagrant. 

"All that a man, whether rich or poor, can require, is 

food, clothing, lodging, and money for amusement or luxury. 

More than this the wealthiest can never obtain — less than 

this the bummer seldom possesses. His first principle is 

276 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 277 

never to pay for food, even if he has the money. In a 
city like this, where plenty of good food is thrown away 
every day, it is a shame for any man to go hungry,' re- 
marked one of this tribe, 'and I won't go with an empty 
belly ; I ask until I have enough.' This is the feeling of 
all, and is acted upon by all. He begs bread from the 
bakers, and broken victuals from restaurants and private 
houses. In summer he strolls around the market to pick up 
or steal what he can find. His money he will spend for 
liquor for himself and friends, but considers it wasted if used 
to bu}'- food. He will treat a brother in distress to five-cent 
whiskey as long as his money holds out, but his comrade 
might starve before he would buy him a loaf of bread. He 
has his regular routes and customers whom he visits, and 
some of these chevaliers dHndustrie keep regular lists of the 
charitable, their residences, what is the proper time to call, 

and the probable result of such visit. ' Mr. , No. — 

street, coffee and bread, 7 and 8 A. m. ; Mr. , No. — 

street, 9 a. m., bread, cold meat, or cheese ; brown stone 

house corner of street, 8 P. M., Irish girl, dinner ; 

bakery, street, bread ; cracker bakery, street ; 

house four doors from street, lady, lots to eat and 

money ; sisters in street, soup ; hotel, street, soup 

meat, 12.30 p. iff.,' etc., etc. This is a partial copy of a list 
seen by the writer. As a rule he does not go to the same 
place two days in succession, but having a number, can 
levy toll at intervals and still keep supplied. Woe to the 
charitable restaurant-keeper who expresses sympathy — he 
will be overrun. The keeper of a certain eating-house not 
far from the City Hall, in reply to the thanks for the meal 
that he had given to our cormorant, said : 'You are heartily 
welcome- I never send any man hungry from my door.' 



278 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

This expression was spread, and he was almost overwhelmed. 
On one day, in less than a week from this unfortunate 
remark, he had thirty-two callers within twenty-four hours, 
and was compelled to refuse all in order to obtain peace. 

" The clothing of a bummer, while, of course, rarely of the 
latest fashion, is still generally sound and whole, except 
when on an expedition in pursuit of a wardrobe. This he 
obtains by ' asking,' though sometimes he will buy cast-off 
garments in Baxter street , but in general he prefers to beg 
for it. Some keep dilapidated clothing expressly to wear 
when begging, and even lend it to others to use for the 
purpose. Some also make a list of the places where they 
will be apt to procure what they require. This list they 
obtain from the daily papers. Every morning they examine 
the obituary notices, and enter the date of the deaths, of 
persons of about their own age, on paper ; about a week or two 
thereafter, they call on the afflicted family, and very fre- 
quently obtain a supply. What they cannot use they ex- 
change at some of the numerous second-hand dealers for 
what they can, or sell it outright. 

" Their lodging-place is vast, consisting of the whole city. 
They are regular nomads, having no lixed abiding place, 
driven by the police or weather from one spot to the other. 
The City Hall Park is their usual headquarters by day. 
Many also visit the criminal courts to pass away the time, 
but the neighborhood of the City Hall appears to be their 
favorite resort. Whenever the sky is clear they can be seen 
sitting on the benches, vainly endeavoring to keep awake. 
If their gyrations become too violent, or they tumble from 
their seats, the watchful police are upon them, and, with 
sundry pokes of the club, compel them to banish Morpheus 
by walking — outside of the Park. Those who have not 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 279 

rested well during the night, at early dawn wend their way 
thither, and, stretching themselves on the benches, endeavor 
to snatch a nap, but, if seen, are always bastinadoed ; for the 
only method our Metropolitans understand of arousing a 
man is by beating a reveille on his feet with a club. On the 
Battery, near the water's edge during the summer, was a 
large pile of gravel. This, in dry weather, was a favorite 
resort. Here, every night from nine o'clock, eighteen or 
twenty figures could be seen stretched out in every shape. 
Most had old newspapers under them ; some had a brick or 
stone for a pillow, but all were hatless. Hats were danger- 
ous pieces of 'property to possess, as if one was ever left 
exposed it was sure to be stolen. The police rarely disturbed 
them ; their greatest enemies were the mosquitoes. Many 
of these night birds sleep in hallways, or on stoops. Some 
creep into empty wagons, while others visit the hay barges 
in the North River. The farmers who bring their produce 
to the Washington Market, arrive there early in the morning, 
and they and the carriers who assist them to unload, generally 
sleep in the doorways opposite their teams. Among these 
the bummers frequently creep to rest, and as the police have 
neither the time nor inclination to pick them out, the black 
sheep remain with the white until the morning breaks, 
when they crawl away or skulk around the huckster-stalls to 
gather refuse fruit. When the weather is cold or rainy, 
the station-house is taken as a last resort. A description of 
the lodgings there would lead us away from our subject; it 
is sufficient to say that only a regular bummer can enjoy a 
rest in such a place. The life of such a creature is, neces- 
sarily, merely an animal existence, and, as a rule, he does not 
care for any amusement beyond listening to trials in the 
criminal courts. If with a full stomach he can doze away 



280 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

his time, he is satisfied, and asks nothing more. When, 
however, he desires any recreation, he patronizes Tony- 
Pastor's Bowery Theatre. At the latter place he is often 
seen standing near the door, with the hope of having a 
check given to him by some one who leaves early. Some 
money he requires to try his luck in policy shops, and 
especially to pay for his drinks. His methods of ' raising 
the wind' are only limited by his ingenuity. Simple beg- 
ging, without an excuse, he seldom tries, as, being able-bodied, 
his requests would be roughly refused. He frequently sells 
hats, boots, and articles of clothing that he has begged. 
When on such a collecting tour, he carefully hides his hat 
or gives it to a comrade, and then calls in some wholesale 
hat-store. There he tells a pitiable story of having been 
compelled to sleep in the street and of having his hat stolen. 
He goes from place to place and frequently succeeds in 
collecting quite a number. One of these gentry has been 
heard to brag that he obtained fifteen different hats, all good, 
in one day. Boots and shoes he collects by showing his feet 
bursting out of the covering he has put on them for the 
occasion. The most singular manner of making money is 
practiced by a German, who told of it with great pride. 
Every morning he examines the obituary notices in the 
German newspapers. He then writes a few lines of some- 
thing he calls poetry concerning each deceased. This he 
takes to the afflicted family, and tells them that seeing the 
death of a 'dear one' in the paper, the following thoughts 
were suggested, and then gives them his manuscript. On 
being asked if there is anything to pay, he replies that he is 
poor and will take anything they choose to give. Most 
give ten cents, some twenty-five, and he has even received a 
dollar, probably where the sorrow was very deep. When 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 281 

all other means fail, our subject visits the different ferries, 
and there asks the persons about to cross for enough to pay 
his ferriage. In this way he collects a small amount during 
the day, but as it is tedious and slow work he never under- 
takes it except as a last resort. With half the trouble that 
he takes to beg he could earn a decent livelihood, but detest- 
ing regularity he never undertakes it. One sense of shame, 
however, yet remains to him. He hides his begging under 
a euphonism; he never says he "begs," but always "asks." 
The Germans call it fechten, to fight. They are the most 
successful, for two reasons — first, because the German nation 
is peculiarly hospitable and charitable to their own country- 
men. Those speaking the same language and coming from 
the same country are always received kindly and are assisted. 
A Prussian helps a Prussian, a Saxon a Saxon, etc., etc. ; 
secondly, they have less hesitancy in asking for what they 
need, being accustomed to it from their own country 
There, when a mechanic has learned his trade he goes on 
his travels, and seldom having money, must beg his way 
He is seldom refused his reisepfennig, travelling penny, and 
never his food and lodging. When he arrives at a place 
where there is a boss in his trade, if there is no work for 
him, each journeyman gives him something, and the boss 
twice as much. This is the custom, and when he obtains 
work he must do the same to those who come after him. 
Here he has little shame in asking for money, victuals or 
clothes. The German druggists have a singular custom of 
giving two cents to all beggars of their own nationality. 
Why they give that exact sum is a mystery, but it seems to 
be their habit. 

Such are the bummers of New York, hastily sketched. 
Much more could be told did the space allow, but it is 



28'J THE SECEETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

enough to show the nature of those excrescences on the 
body politic ; men who, by their indolence and impudence, 
curdle the milk of human kindness and dishearten the 
charitable, taking the help that would make happy more 
deserving objects. 



CHAPTEE XXXI. 

THE SOCIAL EVIL. 

In January, 1866, Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist Church, 
startled the country with the declaration, made at a public 
meeting at Cooper Institute, that the prostitutes of New York 
City were as numerous as the members of the Methodist 
Church. The following letter of Mr. John A. Kennedy, Super- 
intendent of the Metropolitan Police, furnishes the most au- 
thentic statement of the facts of the case : 

" Office of the Superintendent of Metropolitan Police, 

300 Mulberry Street. 
New York, January 22, 1866. 

'My Dear Sir. — Your note of to-day is before me, 
with the printed sheet of the ' Great Metropolis Gondsened, 
inquiring whether the figures in the paragraph marked 'Li- 
centiousness' can be verified. I have to say that I have 
nothing in my possession to sustain such monstrous state- 
ments. During the past fall I had a careful examination 
made of the concert saloons in this city, for the purpose of 
using the result in our annual report; which you wiJ find in 
the leading dailies of Friday, January 5th, instant. At that 
time we found eleven hundred and ninety-one waiter girls 
employed in two hundred and twenty-three concert and 
drinking saloons. Although the greater part of these girls 
are already prostitutes, yet we have evidence that they are 
not all such; but continuation at the employment is sure to 
make them all alike. Previous to that I had not made any 

283 



284 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

census of persons of that character since January 24th, 1864, 
when the footing was as follows : 

"Houses of prostitution, five hundred and ninety-nine. 
Public prostitutes, two thousand one hundred and twenty 
three. Concert saloons of ill repute, seventy-two. The num- 
ber of waiting girls was not then taken. 

" The newspapers of last week, in reporting Bishop Simp- 
son's speech, delivered in St. Paul's Church, made him say 
that there are twenty thousand prostitutes in New York. I 
felt it about time to correct the impressions of such well-mean- 
ing men as he, and on Thursday last I sent out an order, in- 
structing a new census to be made. I have nearly all the 
returns in, and I find a much less increase than I expected. 
A large number who have been following the army during 
the war, very naturally have gravitated to this city. Where 
else would they go ? But with all that, the increase is below 
my estimate. On the 22d day of January, 1866, the report 
is as follows : 

"Houses of prostitution, six hundred and twenty -one. 
Houses of assignation, ninety-nine. ConCert saloons of ill 
repute, seventy-five. Public prostitutes, two thousand six 
hundred and seventy. Waiter girls in concert and drinking 
saloons, seven hundred and forty-seven. 

" You will see that houses of prostitution have increased 
twenty-two in two years, and houses of assignation have de- 
creased thirteen. Concert saloons have increased four. Pros 
titutes have increased five hundred and forty-seven. The 
waiter girls will be increased by the figures to come in. 

"As it regards ' other women,' we have no means of know- 
ing anything of their number. That there are many of them 
cannot be disputed ; the number of houses for their accom- 
modation tells us that ; but there is no such number as two 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. Zb5 

thousand five hundred, you may depend on it, visit those 
places, and of those who do, the waiter girls furnish the 
larger portion. 

"So that, taking all the public prostitutes, and all the 
waiter girls in music saloons (and these we have to a unit), 
there are but three thousand three hundred. 

"Medical estimates are humbugs, from Dr. D. M. Beeves 
down to Dr. Sanger. According to Dr. Eeeves, every female 
in the city, over thirteen years of age, was required to fill up 
his estimate of lewd women, and Dr. Sanger is but little more 
reasonable. " Very respectfully, yours, 

"JOHN A. KENNEDY." 

Nearly three years have elapsed since the above letter was 
written, and there can be no doubt that the interval has wit- 
nessed a very decided increase of this species of vice. The 
greatest increase is, perhaps, in the class termed by Mr. Ken- 
nedy " other women," in which are included the women of 
nominal respectability, whose crime is known only to them- 
selves and their lovers. They are the last persons in the world 
one would think of accusing, for they are not even suspected 
of wrong doing. Many of them seem to be innocent young 
girls, others wives and mothers of undoubted purity. Society 
is corrupt to its very heart in the great city, and there are 
thousands of nominally virtuous women who lead, in secret, 
lives of shame. The authorities cannot include this class in 
their statistics, as they know nothing of them. 

FIRST-CLASS HOUSES. 

There are very few firs.t-class houses of ill-fame in the city, 
and they are located in the best neighborhoods. They are 
generally hired fully furnished, the annual rent in some cases 



286 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

amounting to ten and twelve thousand dollars. The neigh- 
bors have little or no suspicion as to their character, which 
is, in such cases, known only to the police and their fre- 
quenters. The establishment is palatial in its appointments, 
and is conducted with the utmost outward propriety. 

The proprietress is generally a middle-aged woman of fine 
personal appearance. She has a man living with her, who 
passes as her husband, in order that she may be able to show 
a legal protector in case of trouble with the authorities. 
This couple usually assume some foreign name, and pass 
themselves off upon the unsuspecting as persons of the 
highest respectability. 

The inmates are usually young women, or women in the 
prime of life. They are carefully chosen for their beauty 
and charms, and are frequently persons of education and 
refinement. They are required to observe the utmost decorum 
in the parlors of the house, and their toilettes are exquisite 
and modest. They never make acquaintances on the street, 
and, indeed, have no need to do so. The women who fill 
these houses are generally of respectable origin. They are 
the daughters, often the wives or widows, of persons of the 
best social position. Some have been drawn astray by vil- 
lains ; some have been drugged and ruined, and have fled to 
these places to hide their shame from their friends ; some 
have adopted the life in order to avoid poverty, their means 
having been suddenly swept away ; some have entered from 
motives of extravagance and vanity; some are married women, 
who have been unfaithful to their husbands, and who have 
been deserted in consequence ; some have been ruined by the 
cruelty and neglect of their husbands ; some, horrible as it 
may seem, have been forced into such a life by their parents ; 
and. others, who constitute the smallest class, have adopted 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 287 

the life from motives of pure licentiousness. But, whatever 
may be the cause, the fact is evident to all — these places are 
always full of women competent to grace the best circles of 
social life. 

The visitors to these places are men of means. No others 
can afford to patronize them. Besides the money paid to hi3 
companion, each man is expected to spend a considerable 
amount in wine. The liquors are owned and sold by the 
proprietress, her prices being generally double those of the 
best Broadway wine stores. Her profits are enormous. The 
11 first men " of the city and country visit these places. The 
proportion of married men amongst the guests is very large. 
Governors, Congressmen, lawyers, judges, physicians, and, 
alas that it should be said, even ministers of the Gospel, are 
to be seen there. Men coming to New York from other 
parts of the country, seem to think themselves free from all 
the restraints of morality and religion, and while here 
commit acts of sin and dissipation, such as they would not 
dream of indulging in, in their own communities. They fully 
equal and often surpass the city population in this respect. 

Great care is taken by the proprietors of these houses that 
the visits of their guests shall be as private as possible. 
Upon ringing the bell the visitor is admitted by a finely 
dressed servant, and shown into the parlor. If he desires an 
interview with any particular person he is quickly admitted 
to her presence. If his visit is " general," he awaits in the 
parlor the entrance of the inmates of the house, who drop in 
at intervals. No other gentleman is admitted .o the parlor 
while he is there, and in leaving the house no one is allowed 
to enter or look into the parlors. If two men enter together 
they are thown into the parlor at the same time. 

The earnings of the inmates are very large. They pay an 



288 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

extravagant rate of board, and are expected to dress hand- 
somely. They rarely save any thing. They are well cared 
for by the proprietress as long as they are profitable to her, 
but in case of sickness, or the loss of their beauty, they are 
turned out of doors without the slightest hesitation. Gene- 
rally they are in debt to the proprietress at such times, and 
their property is seized by her to satisfy her claims. 

In entering these houses, women believe they will always 
be able to keep themselves amongst the best classes of such 
females. They are soon undeceived, however. The rule is 
so rigid that there is not more than one exception in a thou- 
sand cases. They rarely remain in first-class houses more 
than a few months, or a year at the longest. In leaving 
them, they begin to go down the ladder, until they reach the 
dance-houses and purlieus of the city, where disease and 
death in their most horrible forms await them. All this in 
a few years, for the life which such women, even the best of 
them, lead, is so fearfully destructive of body and soul that a 
very few survive it more than five years at the longest. The 
police authorities say that the first-class houses change their 
inmates every few months. 

Let no woman deceive herself. " The wages of sin is 
death." Once entered upon a life of shame, however glitter- 
ing it may be in the outset, her fate is certain — unless she an- 
ticipates her final doom by suicide. She cannot reform if 
she would. No one will help her back to the paths of right. 
Even those who loved her best, in her virtue, will turn from 
her in horror in her sin. She will be driven on by an avenging 
fate, which she cannot resist if she would, until she is one of 
those wretched, lost creatures, whose dens are in the purlieus 
of the Five Points and Water street. There is only one 
means of safety. Avoid the first step. Once place your foot 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 289 

in the downward path, and you are lost. " TJie Wages of sin 
is death." 

SECOND-CLASS HOUSES. 

These establishments are better known to the general 
public than those we have just described, as they are open to 
all persons of moderate means. They are located in all 
parts of the town, many of them being in respectable neigh- 
borhoods. They are handsomely furnished, and are con- 
ducted in a flashy style. The inmates are those who, for 
various causes, have been turned out of first-class houses, or 
who have never been able to enter those establishments. 
They do not hesitate to solicit custom on the streets and in 
the public places, though they are not, as a general rule, 
obliged to do so. 

This is the second step in the downward career of fallen 
women. From this step the descent is rapid. The third and 
fourth-class houses, and then the streets, are reached quickly, 
after which the dance-houses and the Five Points hells claim 
their victims. 

WHERE THE UNFORTUNATES COME FROM. 

It is generally very hard to learn the true history of the 
lost women of New York, for nearly all wish to make their 
past lot appear better than it really was, with the melancholy 
hope of elevating themselves in the estimation of their pre- 
sent acquaintances. It may be safely asserted, however, 
that the majority of them come from the humbler walks of 
life. Women of former position and refinement are the ex- 
ceptions. Poverty, and a desire to be able to gratify a love 
for fine clothes, are among the chief causes of prostitution in 
this city. At the same time the proprietors of houses of all 
classes spare no pains to draw into their nets all the vic- 
tims who will listen to them. They have their agents scat- 
18 



290 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

tered all over the country, who use every means to tempt 
young girls to come to the great city to engage in this life 
of shame. They promise them money, fine clothes, ease, and 
an elegant home. The seminaries and rural districts of the 
land furnish a large proportion of this class. The hotels in 
this city are closely watched by the agents of these infamous 
establishments, especially hotels of the plainer and less ex- 
pensive kind. These harpies watch their chance, and when 
they lay siege to a blooming young girl surround her with 
every species of enticement. She is taken to church, to 
places of amusement, or to the Park, and, in returning, a visit 
is paid to the house of a friend of the harpy. Refreshments 
are offered, and a glass of drugged wine plunges the victim 
into a stupor, from which she awakes a ruined woman. 

A CASE IN POINT. 

Some months ago, two girls, daughters of a respectable man, 
engaged as foreman on Prospect Park, Brooklyn, met with 
an advertisement calling for girls to learn the trade of dress- 
making, in West Broadway, New York. The two sisters in 
question, applied for and obtained the situation. After being 
engaged there for a few days, at a salary of three dollars a 
week, the woman, by whom they were employed, proposed 
that during the week they should board with her. In the 
furtherance of this idea, the woman visited the parents of the 
girls in this city, and made the same proposition to them. 
Highly pleased with her agreeable manner, and kind interest 
in the welfare of their daughters, the parents acceded to her 
request, with the understanding that they should return home 
every Saturday evening. Saturday night came, and with it 
rain, but not with it the daughters. On Monday morning 
the woman appeared before the anxious parents, offering a.« 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 291 

on excuse for the non-appearance of the girls on Saturday 
night, that she did not deem it prudent for them to venture 
out, owing to the inclemency of the weather, and assuring the 
old folks that they should visit them on Thursday night, 
which assurance was not fulfilled. Next morning the father, 
becoming alarmed for their safety, went over to New York, 
and searched for the dressmaker's residence in West Broad- 
way, but was unable to find it, or indeed to learn anything 
of the woman. Now becoming thoroughly aroused to the 
danger of their position, he instituted a thorough search, se- 
suring the services of the New York detective force. After 
a lapse of five weeks, the younger girl was discovered in a 
low house in Baltic street, Brooklyn. The story was then 
told the unfortunate father by his wretched daughter. After 
entering the service of the woman, the sisters were held 
against their will, and were subjected to the most inhuman 
and debasing treatment. Finally they were separated from 
each other's society, and became the inmates of dens. The 
woman's whereabouts is unknown to the police, and the elder 
sister is still missing. The above facts are vouched for on 
the most undoubted authority. 

RECRUITS FROM NEW ENGLAND. 
A very large number of the women engaged in this in- 
famous business are from New England. That section of the 
country is so overcrowded, and the females are so numerous 
therein, that there is no room for all at home. As a conse- 
quence hundreds come to the city every year. They come 
with high hopes, but soon find it as hard, if not harder, to 
obtain employment here. The runners for the houses of ill 
fame are always on the watch for them, and from various 
causes, these girls fall victims to them, and join the lost 3ister- 



292 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

hood. They are generally the daughters of farmers, or work 
ing men, and when they come are fresh in constitution anc 
blooming in their young beauty. God pity them ! These 
blessings soon vanish. They dare not escape from theii 
slavery, for they have no means of earning a living in the great 
city, and they know they would not be received at home, 
were their story known. Their very mothers would turn 
from them with loathing. "Without hope, they cling to their 
shame, and sink lower and lower, until death mercifully ends 
their human sufferings. As long as they are prosperous, 
they represent in their letters home that they are engaged in 
a steady, honest business, and the parents' fears are lulled. 
After awhile these letters are rarer. Finally they cease 
altogether. Would a father find his child after this, he must 
seek her in the foulest hells of the city. 

SAVED IN TIME. 

The police are frequently called upon by persons from 
other parts of the country, for aid in seeking a lost daughter, 
or a sister, or some female relative. Sometimes these searches, 
which are always promptly made, are rewarded with success. 
Some unfortunates are, in this way, saved before they have 
fallen so low as to make efforts in their behalf vain. Others, 
overwhelmed with despair, will refuse to leave their shame. 
They cannot bear the pity or silent scorn of their former rel- 
atives and friends, and prefer to cling to their present homes. 
It is very hard for a fallen woman to retrace her steps, even 
if her friends or relatives are willing to help her do so. 

Last winter an old-gray haired man came to the city from 
his farm in New England, accompanied by his son, a manly, 
youth, in search of his lost daughter. His description enabled 
the police to recognize the girl as one who had but recently 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 293 

made her appearance on the streets, and they at once led the 
father and brother to the door of the house she was living in. 
As they entered the well-filled parlor, the girl recognized her 
father. With a cry of joy she sprang into his arms. Lifting 
her tenderly, the old man carried her into the street, exclaim- 
ing through his tears ; 

" We've saved her, thank God ! We've saved our Lizzie." 

That night all three left the city for their distant home. 

Another instance occurs to us: 

A gentleman once found his daughter in one of the first- 
class houses of the city, to which she had been tracked by 
the police. lie sought her there, and she received him with 
ewery demonstration of joy and affection. He urged her to 
return home with him, promising that all should be forgiven 
and forgotten, but she refused to do so, and was deaf to all 
his entreaties. lie brought her mother to see her, and though 
the girl clung to her and wept bitterly in parting, she would 
not go home. She felt that it was too late. She was lost. 

Many of these poor creatures treasure sacredly the memories 
of their childhood and home. They will speak of them with 
a calmness which shows how deep and real is their despair. 
They would flee from their horrible lives if they could, but 
they are so enslaved that they are not able to do so. Their 
sin crushes them to the earth, and they cannot rise above it. 

THE SISTERS' ROW. 

This is the name given to a row of first-class houses in 
West Twenty-fifth street, all fashionable houses of prostitution. 
A woman came to this city from a New England village, and 
was enticed into one of the fashionable dens. She paid a visit 
to her home, dressed up in all her finery. Her parents 
believed her a Broadway saleswoman, but to her sisters, one 



294 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

by one, she confided the life of gayety and pleasure she led, 
and one by one the sisters left the peaceful village, until, at 
last, the whole seven sisters were domiciled in the crime-gilt 
palaces in West Twenty-fifth street. Thus, one sister ruined 
six in her own family ; how many others in the same place is 
unknown. 

Another instance : A woman, named , is from Bing- 

hamton, in this State. As a matter of course, she has corres- 
pondents in that place ; she knows all the giddy-headed girls 
of the town ; she knows the dissatisfied wives. The result is, 
her house is a small Binghamton. Thus, one girl from a 
village may ruin a dozen ; and it is in this way they so readily 
find the home they are in search of in a strange city. 

THE ALBUM BUSINESS. 

A peculiarity of the Twenty- ninth Police Precinct of the 
city, in which the majority of the better class of houses are 
located, "is the large number of lady boarders, who do 
nothing, apparently, for a living. They live in furnished 
rooms, or they may board in respectable families. They 
leave their cards with the madame of the house, together 
with their 4 photograph. They live within a few minutes' call, 
and when a gentleman enters the parlor he has a few minutes' 
chat with the madame, who hands him the album. lie runs 
his eye over the pictures, makes his choice, and a messenger 
is dispatched for No. 12 or 24. These are what may be 
termed the day ladies, or outside boarders. Some of them 
tire married, living with their husbands, who know nothing 
of what is going on, and it may be some of them have shown 
the readers of the Sun how cheap they can keep house, dress 
well, and put money in the bank beside, on a given weekly 
\ncome of their husband. Those ladies who hire furnished 



THE SECRETS OF TriE GREAT CITY. 295 

rooms all dine at the restaurants, but they are never fouiiJ 
soliciting men in the street. True, in the restaurant thej 
may accept a recognition, but a man has to be careful what 
he is about." 

EFFORTS TO BREAK UP THESE HOUSES. 
"Twenty years ago, when Matsell was Chief of Police, he 
used to try and break up the most notorious houses by 
stationing a policeman at the door, and when any one went 
in or out, the light from a bull's eye lantern was thrown in 
the face of the passer oat or in. That has never been effec- 
tive. Captain Speight tried it in the case of Mrs. , who 

keeps the most splendidly furnished house in West Twenty- 
fifth street. She owns the house, and has a few boarders who 
pay her fifty dollars a week for board, and ten dollars a bottle 
for their wine, and twenty-five per cent, on the profits of her 
boarders. The attempt was made to oust this woman, but 
she very politely told the captain that he might honor her as 
long as he pleased with the policeman and his lantern, but 
she could stand it as long as he could ; she owned ' the house, 
and she meant to live in it ; nothing could be proven against 
it, and they dare not arrest her. The consequence was that 
after a time the bull's eye was withdrawn." 

A NEW RUSE ADOPTED. 

" The latest ruse adopted to obtain fresh country or city 
girls is to publish an advertisement in the papers, for ' a young 
lady of some accomplishments to act as a companion for a 
lady about to travel abroad. The applicant must have some 
knowledge of French, be a good reader, have a knowledge 
and taste for music, and be of a lively disposition.' Such an 
advertisement brought a young lady from Newark to a cer- 



296 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

tain house in Twenty -fifth street. She had not been long in 
the parlor until she saw at a glance the character of the 
house. Both then spoke in pretty plain terms. The appli- 
cant was given a week to think over it. She returned at the 
end of a week and voluntarily entered the house. She re- 
mained in it six months. Disgusted with the business, she 
returned to her parents — who believe to this day that she was 
all this time abroad — and afterwards married a highly re- 
spectable gentleman, and she is now supposed to be a virtuous 
woman. 

" A beautiful young girl of seventeen, from Danbury, Con- 
necticut when taken from one of these houses by her father, 
told him, in the station-house, that he might take her home, but 
she would run away the first chance. Her only excuse was: 
'Mother is cross, and home is an old, dull, dead place.' " 

A SOILED DOVE. 

"On the 1st of December, 1857, a funeral wended its slow 
passage along the crowded Broadway — for a few blocks, at 
least — challenging a certain sliare of the attention of the 
promenaders of that fashionable thoroughfare. There were 
but two carriages following the hearse, and the hearse itself 
contained all that remained of a young woman — a girl who 
had died in her eighteenth year, and whose name on earth 
had been Mary B, . 

" Mary E , was the daughter of a poor couple in the 

interior of the State of New York. She was a girl of ex- 
quisite grace and beauty, but her life had been one of toil 
until her sixteenth year, when she attracted the attention of 
the son of a city millionaire, whose country seat was in the 
neighborhood. He was pleased with her beauty, and she 
simple and confiding, gave her heart to him without a strug- 



THE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 297 

gle. She trusted him, and fell a victim to his arts. lie took 
hsr to New York with him, and placed her in a neat little 
room in Sixth Avenue. 

"She was a 'soiled dove,' indeed, but the gentlest and 
dearest, and most devoted of 'doves,' ' soiled,' not by herself, 
but by others— soiled externally, but not impure within. 
There are many such doves as she — poor creatures to be 
pitied, not to be commended, not at all to be imitated, but not 
to be harshly or wholly condemned — more sinned against 
than sinning. 

" For a while Mary R- 's life in New York was a para- 
dise — at least it was a paradise to her. She lived all day in her 
cosy little apartment, did her own little housework, cooked 
her own little dinner, sung her own little songs, and was as 
happy as a bird, thinking all the while of him, the man she 
loved — the man whose smile was all in all to her of earth. 
At night she would receive her beloved in her best dress and 
sweetest smile ; and if he deigned to walk with her around the 
block, or take her with him to the Central Park, she would 
be supremely blessed, and dance around him with delight. 
She cost nothing, or next to nothing; her wants were simple, 
her vanity and love of amusement were vastly below the 
average of her sex, she only needed love, and there is an old 
saying that 'love is cheap.' But, alas! there is no more ex 
pensive luxury thai love — for love requires what few men 
really possess, a heart — and this article of a heart was pre- 
cisely what the merchant's son did not possess. In time, he 
wearied of this young girl and her affection ; her tenderness 
became commonplace; besides he had discovered attractions 
elsewhere. And so he determined ' to end with Mary,' and 
he ended indeed. Though he knew that she worshipped the 
very ground that he trod on, though he knew that every un- 
kind word he uttered went through her heart as would a stab 



298 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

though he knew that the very idea of his leaving her would 
blast her happiness like a lightning stroke ; yet he boldly 
announced to her that their intimacy must cease, that ' he 
must leave her. True, he would see her comfortably provided 
for, during a while at least, until she could find another 
protector,' etc., etc. 

"The agonized Mary could listen to naught more. For 
the first time in her life, out of the anguish and true love of 
her heart, she reproached the man to whom her every thought 
had been devoted — she reminded him of all his promises of 
affection, all his pledges of passion, she clung to him, and 
avowed by all that she considered holy, himself, that she 
would not let him go. In brief, she raised what 'fast men' 
style a scene, and a scene was just one of those things which 
irritated the merchant's son beyond his powers of control. 

"The scoundrel, for such he was, though by birth, educa- 
tion, and position a gentleman, irritated at her entreaties, 
vexed with himself, despising the meanness of his own soul, 
and hating her for revealing it to him, raised his arm, and 
despite her look of love and sorrow, absolutely struck her to 
the earth. The poor girl never shrieked, never resisted, she 
even kissed, with an almost divinely tender forgiveness, his 
hand— his hand who struck her— and then fell to the floor of 
her pleasant, though humble little room, insensible. 

" With a curse, half levelled at her and half at himself, the 
false ' lover ' departed. The young millionaire never looked 

upon Mary R 's face again. In three days there was no 

Mary R 's face to look at ; for the ' soiled dove ' within 

that time had died — not from the blow, oh, no — that was a 
trifle ; but from the unhindness of it ; not from a fractured 
limb, or from a ruptured bloodvessel, but from a broken 
heart. She was buried at the expense of the woman of whom 
her destroyer had rented the little apartment on Sixth Avenue. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 299 

where she had passed her happiest days and her last. The 
rich merchant's son heard of her death with a half sigh and 
then a shrug; but if ever the blood of a human being lay 

upon the head of another, that of poor Mary R lies upon 

the head of the rich merchant's son, and will be required of 
him." 

There are several associations in the city, whose object is 
to rescue lost women from their lives of shame. Prominent 
amongst these is 

THE MIDNIGHT MISSION. 

This institution is located on Amity street, and is open at 
all hours, to all who seek its doors voluntarily, or are directed 
thither. The managers in a recent report, speak of their 
success as follows : 

" That the managers have reason to believe that more than 
sixty women have been benefited through their endeavors 
recently, many of whom have abandoned their life of shame, 
and a large proportion are already restored to their friends, 
or have been placed in respectable situations, where they are 
earning an honest living. Twenty are now in charge, in pro- 
cess of industrial, moral, and religious training, preparatory 
to taking positions of usefulness and respectability. Could 
they be seen by the public, as we see them, aftei the work of 
the day is ended, grouped together in conversation, in inno- 
cent recreation, or in devotion, their faces already beaming 
with the light of hope for this life and the life to come, surely 
we should need no other argument to induce Christian people, 
with kind words and abounding gifts, to speed us in cur 
work of love." 

We would not upon any consideration weaken one single 
effort in behalf of these poor creatures, but we cannot dis- 
guise the fact that but few of this class are saved. Women 
who enter the downward path rarely retrace their steps. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

ASSIGNATION HOUSES. 

Theke are over one hundred houses of assignation in 
New York, known to the police. Besides these, there are 
places, used as such, which the officials of the law do not and 
cannot embrace in the general term. These are cheap hotels, 
where women hire rooms without meals, and receive visitors, 
with whom they make appoiutments on the streets, or in the 
places of amusement. Some really good houses have been 
ruined in this way. By tolerating one or two women of 
this kind, they have drawn to them others, and have finally 
become overrun with them to such an extent that respectable 
people have avoided them. Even the first-class hotels are 
kept busy in purging themselves of the evil. 

The best houses are located in respectable, and a few in 
fashionable neighborhoods. In various ways they soon ac- 
quire a notoriety amongst persons having use for them. In 
the majority of them, the proprietress resides alone. Her 
visitors are persons of all classes in society. Married women 
meet their lovers here, and young girls pass in these polluted 
chambers the hours their parents suppose them to be de- 
voting to healthful and innocent amusements. Hundreds of 
nominally virtuous women visit these places one or more 
times each week. They come sometimes in the day, but 
generally at night. A visit to the theatre, opera, or concert, 
is too often followed by a visit to one of these places, to 
300 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 



30) 



which some women of high social position possess pass-keys. 
Some visit these places because they love other men bettei 
than their husbands ; others from mercenary motives. Mar- 
ried women, whose means are limited, too often adopt such 
a course to enable them to dress handsomely. 

The rooms are hired from the proprietor at so much per 
hour, the price being generally very high. If refreshments 
are desired, they are furnished at an enormous rate. 

In other houses, women rent rooms -and take their meals 
outside. They bring their male friends to their rooms at any 
hour, as they have pass-keys to the house. These establish- 
ments pass in the neighborhood for reputable lodging-houses. 

Men of " respectable " position frequently furnish houses 
for this purpose, and either engage women to manage them, 
or rent them out at enormous sums. They live in style, and 
support their families on the proceeds of these dens of in- 
famy. 

The city papers are full of advertisements of these places. 
They are represented as " Rooms to let to quiet persons," 
or " Rooms in a strictly private family, where boarders are 
not annoyed with impertinent questions," or " A handsome 
room to let, with board for the lady only," or " Handsome 
apartments to gentlemen, by a widow lady living alone." 
These advertisements are at once recognized by those in 
search of them. Families from the country frequently stum- 
ble across these places by accident. If the female members 
are young and handsome, they are received, and the mistake 
is not found out, perhaps, until it is too late. 

Respectable families are frequently victimized by having 
dwellings sold or rented to them which have been formerly 
used as houses of this kind. A Mexican Minister to the 
United States was once caught in this way rather curiously. 



302 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

"Being a stranger in the city, he saw in print the notice of 
a splendid house, with the furniture for sale, in West 
Twenty-seventh street. lie went up and saw it, and was 
pleased with the location, the house, the furniture, and even 
the price. Tie bought it, and moved in with his family. lie 
was not located there twenty-four hours until he found that 
the house he had bought had been a notorious house of as- 
signation, and that he was sandwiched in between two 
equally notorious houses. Many an oath came from his 
mouth, when a young or an old grayheaded TJotspur rang 
the bell ; and many an old patron of the house has been 
astonished at being most abruptly told to go further than the 
next door for what he wanted. The old Mexican managed 
to stand it out six months, and a real estate agent, who had 
an eye to business, knowing that he could be tempted to sell 
out, advertised for a house in Twenty -seventh street, in the 
Spanish paper. The bait took — the diplomatist was happy 
to sell it for the half of what it was worth ; thinking some- 
body would get burned, he was glad to get rid of it at any 
price. In a few weeks afterward, the house was re-sold for 
double the money paid for it, and converted back to its old 
purposes." 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

STREET- WALKERS. 

As soon as the sun sets over the Great City, Broadway, and 
the streets running parallel with it, become infested with 
numbers of young girls and women, who pass up and down 
the thoroughfares with a quick, mysterious air, which rarely 
fails to draw attention to them. These are known as street- 
walkers, and it would seem from outward indications that 
their number is steadily increasing. The best looking and 
the best dressed are seen on Broadway, and in parts of Fifth 
and Fourth Avenues. The others correspond to the localities 
they frequent. They are chiefly young girls, seventeen being 
the average age, but you will see children of twelve and 
thirteen amongst them. Very few promenade Broadway 
below Canal street. The neighborhoods of the hotels and 
places of amusement are the most frequented. Some of the 
girls are pretty and modest, but the majority are ugly and 
brazen. New faces are constantly appearing on Broadway, 
to take the places of the old ones which have gone down to 
the depths. 

The majority of the girls have some regular employment 
at which they work in the day. Their regular earnings are 
small, and they take this means of increasing them. Some, 
however, sleep all day, and ply their infamous trade at night. 
There are cases in which the girls are driven to such a life 
by their parents, who either wish to rid themselves of their 
child's support, or to profit by her earnings. We have 
known cases where the girls have voluntarily supported their 

303 



304 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

parents by the wages of their shame. We once heard of two 
sisters, well known on Broadway, who devoted their earnings 
to paying off a heavy debt of their father, which he was un- 
able to meet. Sometimes these girls deserve more pity than 
blame; but a very large proportion of them, perhaps the 
majority, act as decoys for garroters and thieves. Hundreds 
of strangers, coming to the city, follow them to their rooms 
only to find themselves in the power of thieves, who compel 
them on pain of instant death to surrender all their valuables. 
The room taken by the decoy is vacated immediately after 
the robbery, the girl and her confederate disappear, and it ia 
impossible to find them. 

The police do not allow these girls to stop and converse 
with men on Broadway. If a girl succeeds in finding a com- 
panion, she beckons him into one of the side streets, where 
the police will not interfere with her. If he is willing to go 
with her, she conducts him to her room which is in one of 
the numerous. 

BED-HOUSES 
of the city. 

These bed-houses are simply large or small dwellings con 
taining many furnished rooms, which are let to street- walkers 
by the week, or which are hired to applicants of any class 
by the night. They are very profitable, and are frequently 
owned by men of good social position, who rent them out to 
others, or who retain the ownership, and employ a manager. 
The rent, whether weekly or nightly, is invariably paid in 
advance, so that the landlord loses nothing. 

The girl leads her companion to one of these houses, and 
if she has a room already engaged, proceeds directly to it ; 
if not, one is engaged from a domestic on the spot, the price 




ROBBED BY A FRIEND. 



TUE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 305 

is paid, and the parties are shown up stairs. The place is 
kept dark and quiet, in order to avoid the attention of the 
police. The houses are more or less comfortable and hand- 
some, according to the class by which they are patronized. 
They are sometimes preferred by guilty parties in high life, 
as the risk of being seen and recognized is less there than in 
more aristocratic houses. These houses have a constant run 
of visitors from about eight o'clock until long after midnight. 

TRAVELLING STREET -WALKERS. 

The various night lines of steamers running from .New 
York city, are literally overrun with abandoned women, 
seeking companions. The Albany and the Boston lines are 
made intensely disagreeable by such persons. A corres- 
pondent of one of the New Jersey papers, thus relates his 
experience on board of one of the magnificent vessels of a 
Boston line. 

" The grand saloon is filled with a throng of travellers 
listening to the sweet music discoursed by a band in the 
upper gallery, employed for the season by the company. 
One cannot but remark, with mingled pain and indignation, 
the large number of brazen-faced prostitutes and professional 
gamblers who saunter up and down the saloon and galleries, 
seeking their prey among the unsuspecting passengers. 

* * * " If a gentleman is seated alone, along comes one 
of these painted wretches, boldly addressing him, and to escape 
her horrible proffers, he must seek some other part of the 
boat, or follow the example of every respectable lady, by 
occupying his stateroom at an early hour in the evening. It 
is really getting to be exceedingly unpleasant and disagreeable 
for a lady to travel by this line, even if accompanied by a 
gentleman ; and let no one permit a female relative or friend 
19 



306 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

to take this route alone, if they have the slightest regard for 
the decencies and proprieties of life. While the band was 
discoursing sweet strains of music, shrill screams were heard 
proceeding from the forward saloon. The passengers rushed 
to the scene. A young woman was being carried by main 
force, exerted by the servants, below. She struggled fiercely, 
bil.ing, striking and cursing ! What a horrible sight. One 
observer, at least, earnestly trusts he may never behold such 
an one again. She was one of the courtesans who had been 
parading up and down the saloons all the evening. She had 
inveigled an unsophisticated countryman into a stateroom 
and robbed him. He reported her to the captain, and 
threatened public exposure of the transaction before he could 
procure assistance ! And now her screams can be plainly 
heard, resounding through the gilded saloons, above the run 
of the machinery and strains of the musicians." 

PANEL THIEVING. 

This method of robbery is closely connected with street- 
walking. The girl in this case acts in concert with a con- 
federate, who is generally a man. She takes her victim to 
her room, and directs him to deposit his clothing on a chair, 
which is placed but a few inches from the wall at the end of 
the room. This wall is false, and generally of wood. It is 
built some three or four feet from the real wall of the room, 
thus forming a closet. As the whole room is papered and 
but dimly lighted, a visitor cannot detect the fact that it is 
a sham. A panel, which slides noiselessly and rapidly, is 
arranged in the false wall, and the chair with the visitor's 
clothing upon it is placed just in front of it. While the 
visitor's attention is engaged in another quarter, the girl's 
confederate, who is concealed in the closet, slides back the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 307 

panel, and rifles the pockets of the clothes on the chair. The 
panel is then noiselessly closed. "When the visitor is about 
to depart, or sometimes not until long after his departure, he 
discovers his loss. He is sure the girl did not rob him, and 
he is completely bewildeied in his efforts to account for the 
robbery. Of course the police could tell him how his money 
was taken, and could recover it, too, but in nine cases out of 
ten the man is ashamed to seek their assistance, as he does 
not wish his visit to such a place to be made public. 

THE "HUSBAND GAME." 

The street- walkers are adepts in deceit. Their chief object 
is to procure money, and they do not hesitate to plunder iheir 
victims in order to obtain it. One of their favorite " dodges " 
is called the " husband game." This is played as follows . A 
man is picked up on the street, after nine o'clock, and carried 
to the girl's room. He is asked to pay his money in advance, 
which he does. The girl then turns the lights down, and 
seems about to prepare to retire for the night, when a loud 
knocking is heard. The girl, in alarm, informs him that she 
is a married woman, and that her husband has returned. 
She begs him to escape, or he will be killed. The visitor, 
terribly frightened, is glad to get off through a side door. 
His money is not returned, but the woman promises to meet 
him the next night, which engagement, of course, is never 
kept. In ten minutes more she is on Broadway in search (£ 
a fresh victim. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

CONCERT SALOONS. 

There are seventy-five concert saloons in New York, 
which employ seven hundred and forty-seven waiter girls. 
The brothels usually termed dance-halls, are included in this 
estimate, but, as we design referring especially to them in 
another chapter, we shall pass them by, for the present, and 
devote this chapter to the concert saloons proper. 

Eight years ago, a Philadelphia manager opened a concert 
nail which he called the "Melodeon," at the old Chinese 
Assembly Rooms on Broadway. This was the first institu- 
tion of the kind ever seen in New York, and imitations of 
it soon became common. 

"\Ye find the following faithful description cf one of these 
saloons in one of the popular prints of the day. 

" On Broadway, near street, we notice, just above the 

entrance to a cellar, a flaming transparency, with the inscrip- 
tion, ' Madame X 's Arcade.' Going down a few steps, 

we find our view of the interior obstructed by a large screen, 
painted white, with the almost nude figure of a dancing 
Venus coarsely painted thereon. The screen is placed across 
the entrance, a few feet from the door, obliging us to flank 
it, a la Sherman, and enter the hall by going around it. We 
find the floor handsomely covered with matting and oil cloth. 
On the right-hand side, nearest the door, is the bar, over 
which presides a genius of the male sex, whose chief attrac- 
tions consist of a decided red head, and an immense paste 
308 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 301) 

astpin, stuck into the, bosom of a ruffled shirt. The bar 
is well furnished, and any drink called for, from beer to 
champagne, can be instantly obtained. A significant feature, 
and one that easily arrests the attention, is a formidable Colt's 
revolver, a foot in length, suspended immediately over the 
sideboard. This weapon, it may be observed, is not placed 
there as an ornament ; it is in itself a monitor, warning those 
inclined to be disorderly, of the danger of carrying their 
boisterousness or ruffianism too far. On the walls are black 
engravings of the French school, fit ornaments for the place. 
But, while we are taking this casual survey, one of the at- 
tendant nymphs, with great scantiness of clothing, affording 
display for bare shoulders and not unhandsome ankles, 
appears, and in a voice of affected sweetness wholly at vari- 
ance with her brazen countenance and impertinent air, re- 
quests us to be seated, and asks what we'll have. We 
modestly ask for ' Two ales,' which are soon placed before 
us, and paid for. While quietly sipping the beverage, wo 
will glance at our surroundings. Back of the hall — we are 
sitting at a table near the centre of the apartment — on a 
raised platform, is an asthmatic pianoforte, upon which an 
individual with threadbare coat, colorless vest, and faded 
nankeen pantaloons, is thrumming away for dear life. Out 
of tune himself, he tortures the poor instrument in a way 
that threatens its instant dissolution, rending its heart- 
strings, and causing it to shriek with agony, wailing out the 
tune that the old cow died to ! This is the only piece of 
music the performer is acquainted with, judging from the 
persistent manner in which he clings to it. What he lacks 
in musical knowledge, however, he makes up with intention, 
and thumps away quite manfully, only stopping now and then 
to call for a drink, Avith which to recruit his exhausted 
energies 



310 TIIE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

" But we have come to behold the chief attraction of the 
establishment— the 'pretty waiter girls.' " 

THE WAITER GIRLS. 

" Looking around, we see, perhaps, twenty females, in 
various styles of dress — some in Turkish costume (supposed 
to he houris, no doubt); others attired as Spanish peasants; 
and others still in plain evening attire. The latter are for 
the most part far from possessing charms, and, from their 
looks, have long since outlived their beauty ; but what they 
lack in this respect they make up in others. The girl that 
waited upon us on our entrance, again approaches, and seeing 
our glasses empty, takes them away to be replenished. She 
soon reappears, and in response to our invitation, takes a 
seat beside us, while we enter into conversation with her. 
She is a fair sample (excuse the mercantile term) of her class, 
and her history is a history of a majority of her associates. 
Not unprepossessing in appearance, by any means, Ellen — ■ 
that, she tells us, is her name — is twenty-two years of age ; 
was born in the village of Tarrytown; resided with her 
parents until she was eighteen, when her father died. Leav- 
ing her mother with her youngest brother, she came to New 
York to seek employment. On arriving in the city, she ob- 
tained a situation in a millinery store. Eemained there but 
a short time; was out of work; had no friends, no money. 
Would not go back to her mother, who was poor. Saw an 

advertisement of Madame for ' Pretty waiter girls.' 

Answered it. Was engaged in the saloon ; seduced (partly 
by promises, and partly by threats), by one of the frequent- 
ers of the establishment— and has since led the life of a pros- 
titute ! Ellen told her story without the least emotion, and 
when asked about her mother, carelessly replied, ' She sup- 
posed the old woman was dead by this time.' 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 311 

'* Si'ih are the effects of vice, and a life of infamy, upon 
fcho nc-ble feelings and natural impulses of the female heart. 
Wiuh an exclamation of, ' Oh, there's my man !' our attend- 
ant suddenly left us, and joined an individual who had just 
entered the apartment, and we did not see her again. 

"At a table nearly opposite to our own, are seated a 
couple, one, at least, of whom, to even a casual observer, is 
a stranger to the place and its surroundings ; there is no 
doubt of it. Wholly enwrapped in the beauty and grace of 
his female companion, he is totally oblivious to all passing 
around. She is exerting all her arts to entice ' greeny ' into 
her net, and before long will be counting the amount of his 
cash — while he, her dupe, will be, too late, reflecting upon 
the depravity of pretty waiter girls. By this time the saloon 
is crowded with men and women, of all degrees of social 
standing. Here is the man about-town, the hanger-iound 
of the hotels, in clothes of unexceptionable cut and make, 
talking earnestly with a female, whose drawn veil conceals 
her face — perhaps some unfortunate victim of his lust, or 
probably his mistress, come to plead for justice, or for her 
week's allowance of money. Yonder is a youth, of, as Syl- 
vanus Cobb, Jr., would say, ' some eighteen summers,' young 
in years, but old in sin, who supports on his knee a nymph 
du pave, with whom he has entered from the street, and upon 
whom he is spending his last quarter's salary, or the pro- 
ceeds of an investigation into the till of his employer. In 
that corner, is the returned soldier, who has just been paid 
off, and who is now expending the hard-earned pittance of 
the government upon some bepainted and bedizened courte- 
san, while perhaps his wife and family are suffering for want 
of the common necessaries of life. A cry of pain, followed 
by a burst of brutal laughter, causes us to turn our eyes to 



312 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

the corner, just in time to witness a woman fall to the 
ground, felled by a blow from the clenched fist of the brute 
with whom she has been quarrelling. A moment, there is 
silence in the hall; but only for a moment. The girl is 
picked up by one of her companions — a few rough jokes at 
her expense— and all goes on as before. Such scenes are of 
too frequent occurrence to provoke comment. Observe that 
couple descending the steps; a handsome, almost noble- 
looking man, but upon whose countenance is stamped the 
mark of a dissolute life — upon his arm, a female, her face 
hidden from view by a dark veil. They advance to the bar. 
The gentleman whispers a word in the ear of one of the 
girls, a meaning smile flickers over her face, as she hands 
him a key, with which he opens a door in the end of the 
room, and disappears with the female. Reader, you have 
seen half a dozen similar couples arrive and vanish through 
the same door. Do you know the why and wherefore of this 
proceeding ? This saloon is one of the most notorious as- 
signation houses in New York. "We might go on and notice 
more fully the various personages and scenes, constantly 
varying, in this house ; but we have neither space or time at 
present — besides, the task is not an agreeable one. So, let 
us leave the murky atmosphere of the ' crib,' and once more 
breathe the pure air of heaven." 

Bad as they are, the concert saloons of Broadway are the 
best in the city. Those of the Bowery, and Chatham street, 
are mere brothels, in which no man's life is safe. 

Persons entering these places run a fearful risk. They volun- 
tarily place themselves in the midst of a number of abandoned 
wretches, who are ready for any deed of violence or crime 
They care for nothing but money, and will rob or kill for it. 
Respectable people have no business in such places. The} 



THE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 313 

are sure to have their pockets picked, and are in danger of 
violence. Many men, who leave their happy homes in the 
morning, visit these places, for amusement or through cu- 
riosity, at night. They are drugged, robbed, murdered, and 
then the harbor police may find their lifeless forms floating 
in the river at daybreak. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

DANCE-HOUSES. 

These houses differ from the saloons in two things — they 
are lower and viler, and their guests assemble for the pur- 
pose of dancing as well as drinking. They are owned chiefly 
by men, though there are some which are the property of 
and are managed by women. They are located in the worst 
quarters of the city, generally in the streets near the East 
and North Rivers, in order to be easy of access to the sailors. 

The buildings are greatly out of repair, and have a rickety, 
dirty appearance. The main entrance leads to a long, narrow 
hall, the floor of which, is well sanded. The walls orna- 
mented with flashy prints, and the ceiling with colored tissue 
paper cut in various fantastic shapes. There is a bar at the 
farther end of the room, which is well stocked with the 
meanest liquors, and chairs and benches are scattered about. 

From five to a dozen women, so bloated and horrible to 
look upon, that a decent man shudders with disgust as he 
beholds them, are lounging about the room. They have 
reached the last step in the downward career of fallen women, 
and will never leave this place until they are carried from it 
to their graves, which are not far distant. They are misera- 
bly clad, and are nearly always half crazy with liquor. Tbey 
are cursed and kicked about by the brutal owner of the 
place, and suffer still greater violence,- at times, in the drunken 
brawls for which these houses are famous. Their sleeping 
rooms are above. They are sought by sailors and by tbfl 
314 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. o!5 

lowest and most degraded of the city population. They are 
the slaves of their masters. They have no money of their 
own. He claims a part of their infamous earnings, and 
demands the rest for board and clothes. Few have the 
courage to fly from these hells, and if they make the attempt, 
they are forced back by the proprietor, who is frequently 
aided in this unholy act by the law of the land. They can 
not go into the streets naked, and he claims the clothes on 
their backs as his property. If they leave the premises with 
these clothes on, he charges them with theft. 

HOW THE LAW AIDS VICE. 

In Packard's Monthly, for September, 1868, the reader will 
find a deeply interesting article on this subject, by Mr. Oliver 
Dyer, from which we take the following illustration of our 
remarks. 

There is, probably, not a police reporter in the city, of 
much experience, who has not seen one of these girls ar- 
raigned at the Tombs, or at some other police court, on a 
charge of theft ; because in fleeing from the intolerable servi- 
tude of some den of vice, she had had to wear clothes belong 
ing to the keeper — not having any of her own wherewith tu 
hide her nakedness. 

" We will give a scene of this kind. Place, the Tombs , 
time, six o'clock in the morning; present, police justice, 
officers of court, about thirty prisoners, policemen attending 
as witnesses, and parties preferring charges against prisoners. 
The name of the girl against whom complaint has been made 
having been called, the following examination took place : 

" Justice. — l What is the charge against this girl ?' 

" Policeman. — ' Felony — stealing wearing apparel.' 

'• Justice. — ' Who is the complainant ?' 

" Policeman. — ' This woman here,' pointing out the keeper 



316 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

of the den from which the girl had fled — a most villainous 
old hag. 

" Justice (to the keeper). — ' "What did the girl steal ?' 

" Keeper. — "Every rag she's got on; bad luck to her.' 

" Justice (to the girl).— 'Mary, who owns that shawl you 
have on ?' 

" Mary. — l She does, sir;' pointing to the woman. 

" Justice. — i Who owns that hat and dress you have on ?' 

" Mary. — ' She does.' 

" Justice. — ' Havn't you any thing of your own to wear ?' 

" Mary. — ' Nothing, sir.' 

" Justice. — ' This woman owns them all — all the clothes 
you have on, does she ?' 

" Mary. — ' Yes, sir.' 

" Justice. — ' If they are hers you should not have taken 
them.' 

" Mary. — ' Please, sir, I couldn't stay in her house any 
longer, and I couldn't go naked into the street.' 

" Justice. — ' It is a hard case, Mary, but stealing is stealing, 
and I shall have to send you up for twenty days.' 

" And so Mary is sent to the Penitentiary on Blackwell's 
Island for twenty days (and sometimes for a longer period), 
wearing the ' stolen ' clothes ; and the hag of a keeper goes 
back to her den and tells the other girls of Mary's fate, satis- 
fied to give the shabby garment, in which the victim 'was 
attired, in exchange for the ' moral effect ' of the girl's. 
conviction and imprisonment on those who are still in her 
clutches. 

"Justice Dovvling, we believe, never convicts a girl cf 
theft under such circumstances, but gives her accuser such a 
scoring clown in open court as sends her back to her den in 
rage and shame." 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 317 

WHERE THE WOMEN COME FROM. 

Let no one suppose that these women entered upon such 
wretched lives voluntarily. Many were drugged and forced 
into them, but the majority are lost women who have come re- 
gularly down the ladder to this depth. You can find in these 
hells women who, bat a few years ago, were ornaments of so 
oietv. No woman who enters upon a life of shame can hope 
to avoid coming to these places in the end. As sure as she 
takes the first step in sin, she will take this last one also, 
struggle against it as she may. This is the last depth. It 
has but one bright ray in all its darkness — it does not last 
over a few months, for death soon ends it. But, oh! the 
horrors of such a death. No human being who has not 
looked on such a death-bed can imagine the horrible form in 
which the Great Destroyer comes. There is no hope. The 
poor wretch passes from untold misery in this life to the doom 
which awaits those who die in their sins. 

0, parents, look well to your children. Guard them as you 
have never guarded them before. Make home happy and 
bright to them. Encircle them with love and tenderness. 
Weigh well your every act and word, for you may learn 
some day, when it is too late, that your criminal carelessness 
has been the cause of your child entering the path which 
leads inevitably down to hell. 

The keepers of these dens use every means to decoy emi- 
grant girls into their dens. As we have shown in another 
"chapter, they frequently succeed. Mr. Oliver Dyer, in the 
article from which we have just quoted, relates the following, 
which will show how this is done. We merely remark that 
this is perhaps the only case in which the helpless victim has 
been rescued : 

" In the month of February, 1852, Isaac W. England, Esq., 



318 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

formerly the city editor of the New York Tribune, subsequently 
the managing editor of the Chicago Bepitblican, afterwards 
editor-in-chief of the Jersey Gity Times, and now the managing 
editor of the New York Sun, was returning to this city from 
Liverpool in the emigrant packet ship New York, in which 
he had taken a second cabin passage, for the purpose of 
learning practically how emigrants fared in such vessels. 

" Mr. England did this with a view to exposing the 
atrocities then practiced upon emigrants, and which he after- 
wards did expose, in the columns of the Tribune, with such 
effect as to be largely instrumental in the fundamental regene- 
ration of the whole emigrant business, and the creation of 
the Castle Garden Commission. 

" Among the passengers in the second cabin of the packet 
ship was a handsome English girl, some nineteen years of 
age, from near Mr. England's native town. The fact that the 
girl came from near his native town led Mr. England to feel 
an interest in her, and he learned that she was coming to 
America to join her brother, then living near Pottsville, in 
Pennsylvania. 

" On landing in New York, the girl went to a boarding- 
house in Greenwich street, there to await her brother's 
arrival — it having been arranged that he should come to 
New York for her. 

" Mary (for that was her name) had not been at the board- 
ing-house many days when a German woman called there in 
search of a bar-maid, and seeing Mary, she at once sought to 
induce her to accept the situation. It is not uncommon for 
English girls, of the class to which Mary belonged, to act as 
bar-maids in England, that being there a respectable employ- 
ment. 

" Deceived by the complaisant manr ers, and lured by the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. ol'J 

liberal promises of the German woman, the unsuspecting 
English girl accepted her offer and went with her to her 
saloon — a basement in William street, near Pearl. 

"After one day's service as bar-maid, Mary >vas bluntly 
informed by her employer that she had been brought thither 
to serve in a capacity which we will not name, and was 
ordered to make ready for at once entering upon a life oi 
shame. 

" The horror-stricken girl, frantic with terror, set about 
immediately leaving the premises. But she was too valuable 
a prize to be allowed to escape. The hag into whose clutches 
she had fallen locked her up in a back basement room, ex- 
tending under a grate in the yard, and open to the inclemency 
of the weather, and there she kept her for two days and two 
nights — the girl not daring to eat or drink any thing during 
all that time, for fear of being drugged to insensibility and 
ruin. 

" The only sustenance that passed that girl's lips for eight 
and forty hours was the snow that she scraped from the area 
grating. Nor did she dare to close her eyes in sleep for an 
instant. 

" And while thus imprisoned, constant efforts were made 
to intimidate or force her to the fate to which the keeper of 
the place was determined to drive her. For this purpose 
man after man was sent to her prison. "With some of them 
a simple statement of the case was sufficient to turn them 
from their purpose ; but against others she had to light as if 
for life for that which was to her dearer than life. 

" But lack of food and lack of s?eep began to tell upon her. 
Her strength failed, her mind weakened, and it seemed as 
though her doom was sealed. 

" On the third day of Mary's imprisonment Mr. England, 



320 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

who was about to start for Khode Island, bethought himself 
of his young countrywoman, and determined to call at the 
boarding-house in Greenwich street, to see what had become 
of her. He did so, and was informed that she had engaged 
as bar-maid in the William street saloon. 

"Having knowledge of such places, Mr. England was 
troubled at this news, and though pressed for time, he de- 
termined to call at the saloon and see what kind of hands 
Mary had fallen into. He went thither, and the moment he 
entered the place he discovered its character. 

" On inquiring of the landlady for Mary, he was told that 
she had gone to Pennsylvania with her brother, who had 
come for her two days before. Something in the woman's 
manner excited Mr. England's suspicions, and he told her 
that he thought she was deceiving him, and that Mary was 
still in the house. 

" At this the woman flew into a passion, and swore vol- 
ably at Mr. England in several languages. This strength- 
ened his suspicions of foul play, and he grew more peremptory 
in his manner of speech. While he was contesting the mat- 
ter with the landlady, one of the girls in waiting passed near 
him, and muttered something which he understood to be a 
statement that Mary was actually in the house. 

" Upon this Mr. England took decided ground, and told 
the woman that unless she immediately produced the girl, he 
would go for an officer and have her arrested. This brought 
her to terms. She gave one of the waitresses a key, and an 
order in German, in pursuance of which the girl went and 
unlocked the room in which Mary was confined. As soon as 
the door was opened Mary came rushing out, and seeing Mr. 
England, she flew to him— sobbing hysterically, and clinging 
to 'his arm — and cried : 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 321 

M ' Take me from this place, Mr. England ; take me from 
this place ! ' 

" After demanding Mary's trunk, which was delivered to 
him, with all her things, Mr. England immediately took the 
rescued girl to a place of safety. 

" Mary's brother had died, as she soon learned, while she 
was on her voyage to meet him. But a young New York 
lawyer saw her and loved her, and wooed her, and won her, 
and married her, and she is now living, happy and prosper- 
ous, in Brooklyn. 

" But suppose there had been no Mr. England in the case ! 
Or, suppose Mr. England had gone to Ehode Island, without 
stopping to look after this homeless young stranger ! 

" Why, then, she would have met her wretched doom in 
that William street den, and been one of the class about 
whom this article is written." 
20 



CHAPTEE XXXYI. 

THE WICKEDEST MAN IN NEW YORK- 

In the July number of Packard's Monthly, an able and 
sprightly magazine, published in this city, there appeared an 
article by Mr. Oliver Dyer, entitled " The Wickedest Man in 
New York." It was a lengthy and interesting account of a 
dance-house, carried on at No. 304 Water street — one of tne 
vilest sections of the city — by one John Allen, and of tne 
proprietor himself. As many of our readers may not have 
seen this article, we give portions of it, referring them to the 
magazine for the rest. 

" The Wickedest Man in New Ydrk goes by the name of 
John Allen. He lives at No. 804 Water street. He keeps 
a dance-house there. He is about forty-five years old. He 
is reputed to be worth one hundred thousand dollars, more or 
less, and is known to be worth over seventy thousand dollars. 
He has tnree brothers, who are clergymen — two of them 
being Presbyterians, and the other a Baptist — and is reported 
to have once been a minister of the Gospel himself. He is 
known formerly to have been a school teacher, and is a man 
of education and fine natural powers ; was originally a good 
man ; and is yet a ' good fellow ' in many respects. Were it 
not for his good qualities he never could have attained unto 
the bad eminence of being the Wickedest Man in New York 

" The best bad is always the worst. 

" Take him for all in all, our Wickedest Man is a phenom- 
enon. He reads the Bible to his dance-house girls, and hi? 
322 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 323 

favorite papers are the New York Observer and the Independ- 
ent. He takes them regularly, and reads them. We Lave 
repeatedly seen them lying on the counter of his bar-room, 
amid decanters and glasses, along with the daily Herald and 
the Sun. We have also seen a dozen copies of the Little 
Wanderer's Friend at a time scattered about his place, for he 
takes an interest in mission work, and ' goes in ' generally for 
progress for other people. 

" This Wickedest Man is the only entity appertaining to 
the shady side of New York life which we have been unable 
to fathom, analyze, and account for. But he is too much for 
us. Why a human being of his education, natural tastes, 
force of character, and wealth, should continue to live in a 
Water street dance-house, and bring up his children in a 
soul-destroying atmosphere of sin and degradation, is more 
than we can comprehend. 

" For the Wickedest Man loves his children. His little five- 
year-old boy is the apple of his eye, the core of his heart, and 
the chief object of his worship. He never misses an oppor- 
tunity to sound the child's praises, and to show off his accom- 
plishments. And all things considered, the little fellow is 
truly a wonder. He is crammed full of information on all 
manner of topics, and is ever ready to respond to his doting 
father's attempts to make his smartness visible to the naked 
eye. 

" We have never visited the Wickedest Man's dance-house 
without having our attention called afresh to his little son's 
abilities, except once, and then he took us round to the 
school which the child attends, to let us see that he ranks 
with the best, and is a favorite with his teacher. That was 
on the 28th day of May last, at about a quarter to twelve in 
the day time, when we went to No. 304 Water street, to tell 



324 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Mr. Allen that the fated time had come for serving him up 
in a magazine article. 

" For be it known to the reader, we have had our pen 
couched at John Allen for nearly two years. In the year 1865, 
the Sabbath after President Lincoln was assassinated, we 
began an exploration and sub-soiling of New York city, as 
to its crime, poverty, want, woe, wretchedness, and degrada- 
tion, which we have pursued ever since, as other engage- 
ments would permit. Of course, it was not long before we 
found out John Allen. We at once recognized his genius 
for wickedness, and made him an especial study. But, as we 
have said, he baffles us. We have told him so, and have 
frequently asked him to help us out of our dilemma, but he 
always comes short of the complete thing. 

" We think we know why this Wickedest Man persists in 
living in his Water street den — that we have, in fact, pene- 
trated his secret ; but as we are not absolutely certain as to 
the matter, we will not set our suspicion down in print, lest 
we should do him injustice. 

" We have said that our Wickedest Man is a phenomenon. 
We meant this in its application to the deepest springs of his 
character ; but it is also, and perhaps equally, applicable to 
the external manifestations of those deepest springs. 

" Has the reader any notion of a Water street dance-house ? 
Concretely stated, it is a breathing hole of hell — a trap-door of 
#he bottomless pit. You step from the street into a bar-room, 
wherein lousy loafers lurk, and which is, in some cases, on a 
level with the sidewalk, and in others far beloAV it ; and there 
you are in the general midst of things, if it happens to be a 
dance-house of the very lowest class. But usually there is a 
1 saloon ' in the rear of the bar-room. 

" Passing out of the bar-room by a door opening in a par- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 325. 

tition across its rear, you enter the dancing-saloon, which 
varies in size from a room fifteen feet square to a room 
twenty-five to fifty feet in extent. Along the wall of this 
room a bench extends, usually on three sides. In the farther 
end of the room is an orchestra, proportioned in numbers 
and skill to the prosperity of the establishment. The num- 
ber of musicians is sometimes as high as six, but the average 
is not more than three. In one of the rear corners of the 
saloon there is a small bar, where the girls can drink with 
their victims without exposing their fascinations to the un 
thriftful gaze of a non-paying and censorious outside public. 

" Sitting upon the benches, or grouped upon the floor, or 
whirling in the dance, are the girls, varying in number from 
four to twenty, but averaging about ten. 

" These girls are not often comely to the fastidious eye. 
But to a sailor, just from a long cruise, where nothing love- 
lier than his weather-beaten shipmates has for years been 
seen, they are not without attractions. So, too, do certain 
landsmen, of a degraded type, pay homage to their strenuous 
charms. But a decent man, in the full possession and equi 
poise of his faculties, can only regard them with sorrow 
unspeakable, and pity too deep for tears. 

" The only girl we ever saw in a dance-house, in whom we 
could detect the slightest vestige of comeliness or refinement, 
had been there but a few hours, and was reputed to be the 
daughter of a former Lieutenant-Governor of a New England 
State. 

" The first time we entered John Allen's dance-house we 
found it in full blast. The hour was eleven in the evening. 
There were thirteen girls in the saloon, three musicians in 
the orchestra, and seven customers submitting to the bland- 
ishments of an equal number of the ballet-dressed syrens who 



326 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

pervaded the room. Our party consisted of the policeman 
who accompanied us, three clergymen on the look out for 
the " elephant," Mr. Albert 0. Arnold, of the Howard Mis- 
sion, and the writer. 

" The Wickedest Man was in his glory. Things were 
moving briskly. He gave us all a hearty welcome, ordered 
the orchestra to do their best, and told the girls to ' break 
our hearts.' A vigorous dance followed, after which the 
proprietor called out : 

" ' Hartford, go up stairs and get my baby.' 

" Hartford turned out to be one of the girls, who immedi- 
ately disappeared and soon returned, bearing in her arms an 
undressed sleepy child, wrapped in a shawl. This was the 
juvenile prodigy. His father took him in his arms, with a 
glow of pride and affection. 

" ' Now, gentlemen, you are writers, philosophers, and 
preachers ; but I'll show that my baby knows as much as 
any of you. He's hell on reading, writing, praying and 
fighting.' 

" And without more ado, he stood the sleepy little fellow 
upon the floor and began to catechize him in ancient history, 
both sacred and profane, and then in modern history, geo- 
graphy, the political history of the United States, etc., etc., 
with a result which astounded all. Suddenly he exclaimed : 

" ' Chester, give me a song.' 

" And Chester, for that is the child's name, gave us a song. 

" ' Now, Chester, give us a break-down.' The orchestra 
played a ' break-down,' and Chester danced it with precision 
and vigor, his mother looking on with delight. 

" ' Now, Chester, give us a prayer." 

"And the child recited, first the Lord's Prayer, and then 
Others in succession mixed with which were so much ribaldr/ 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 61 i 

and profanity on the father's part as cat us to the heart. And 
here it was that we got a glimpse of the pre-eminent wicked- 
ness of fcr"° man — wickedness to him unknown, and all the 
worse because of his unconsciousness of it ; wickedness which 
is leading him to train up that idolized boy in a way and in 
an atmosphere which will yet make him an object of loathing, 
even to his own heart. 

" For that dance-house child there seems to be no spiritual 
hope. The sacred and the profane are so intermingled in his 
childish understanding, that he will never be able to tell 
which is sacred and which is profane ; and his nature being 
dogged and combative, he will grow up into the highest 
possible type of wickedness, if he grows up at all. Of the 
thousand of painful cases wherewith we have met in this city, 
that of little Chester Allen gives us about the keenest pang. 

" After the infant phenomenon had been sent back to bed, 
his father asked our party if we wouldn't ' mix in ' and have 
a dance with the girls. 

" ' It'll do you good,' said he, ' to trip it a little on the light 
fantastic. Besides, I like to do the fair thing by distinguished 
visitors. I'm fond of literary people, and especially of clergy- 
men. I've three brothers myself who adorn the sacred call- 
ing; and grit and grace run through our family, like the 
Tigris and the Jordan through the Holy Land. Go in,, 
gentlemen ; the girls shan't hurt you. I'll watch over you like; 
a hen over her chickens, and you shall leave my premises as 
virtuous as — you came in 1 Ha, ha ! Come, what shall it be ?" 

" On oemg assured that we would not ' trip it on the light 
fantastic,' he asked us if we (that is, our party) would not 
favor the girls with a song, whereupon Mr. Arnold suggested 
that we should all sing together, and asked the girls what 
they would like best. Several of them immediately re- 
sponded in favor of ' There is Eest for the Weary.' 



328 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

'"Do you know that? 1 one of the clergymen asked. 

" ' Yes ;' answered at least half-a-dozen of the girls. 

" ' Where did you learn it?' asked another of the clergymen 

" ' At Sabbath-school," was the reply. 

" We all looked at one another. Here was a revelation. 
These girls had been brought up to attend Sabbath-school i 
Perhaps they were the daughters of Christian parents ! But 
we had not time to pursue this painful speculation, for the 
girls began to sing — 

" ' In the Christian's home in Glory- 
There is a land of rest ; 
And my Saviour's gone before me, 
To fulfil my soul's request. 

" ' Chorus : There is rest for the weary, 
There is rest for'you, 
On the other side of Jordan, 
In the sweet fields of Eden, 
Where the Tree of Life is blooming', 
There is rest for you.' 

"And oh, with what fervor and pathos they sang — es- 
pecially the chorus — which, at the end of each verse they 
sang three times over ; some of them, at last, weeping as they 
sang. What girlish memories, those sweet, simple strains 
evoked ! Memories, perhaps, of once happy homes, and affec- 
tionate Sabbath-school teachers, and beloved companions, so 
sweetly contrasting with their dance-house condition. And 
so, those soul-weary creatures lingered fondly upon, and 
repeated over and over again, the lines . 

" ' On the other side of Jordan, 
In the sweet fields of Eden, 
"Where the Tree of Life is blooming, 
There is rest for you.' 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 329 

" Since that occasion we have repeatedly visited the abode 
of the Wickedest Man in New York, for the purpose of 
| studying him up/ and of trying to hit upon some means 
of inducing him to abandon his course of life, and of saving 
his boy. For in truth we not only feel an interest in, but 
also rather like him, wicked as he is. And so does nearly 
everybody whom we have taken to see him ; and we have 
taken scores — most of them clergymen. 

"But all our efforts to get any vital hold upon him have 
been in vain. He is always cordial ; always ready to let the 
girls ' have a spiritual sing ;' will even permit a little ex- 
hortation to them in his dancing saloon ; and is free with his 
Observer and Independent. But he keeps on his way with un- 
yielding pertinacity. 

" On one occasion a party of us suggested that he should 
let us hold a prayer-meeting in his saloon. After a little 
reflection, he replied : 

" ' Well, no, gentlemen, I can't go that. You know that 
every man must have regard to his profession and the opinion 
of his neighbors. What with my Observer and Independent, 
and you fellows coming here and singing camp-meeting 
hymns, I am already looked upon in the neighborhood as 
being rather loose and unsound ; and if, a-top of all that, I 
should let you hold a prayer-meeting here, I should lose ivhat little 
character Fve left.'' 

" But our friend Arnold, of the Howard Mission, was 
•determined to achieve the prayer-meeting. And during the 
fourth week in May last, when there were many of his cleri- 
cal friends in the city, Mr. Arnold thought he'd bring a heavy 
spiritual cannonade to bear on Allen, and see what would 
come of it. So, on Monday night, May 25th, after a carefully 
conducted preliminary season of prayer, an assaulting party 



330 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

was formed, including six clergymen from different parts of 
the country, to march upon the citadel of the enemy. When 
we arrived, it was half past twelve; the window-shutters 
were closed, and we feared we were too late. But a light 
shone through the window over the door, and on application 
we were admitted, and received a hearty welcome. Allen 
was just then undergoing a shampooing process, for the 
purpose, as he frankly stated, of enabling him to go to bed 
sober. He added : 

" ' You see, gentlemen, it won't do for a business man to 
go to bed drunk, nor for a literary man either. So now, you 
just take my advice, and whenever you find yourself drunk 
about bedtime, you just take a good shampoo, and you'll find 
the investment will pay a big dividend in the morning. 
But walk into the saloon, gentlemen ; walk in. The girls 
are in there taking a rest and a smoke, after the arduous 
duties of the evening. Walk in.' 

" We walked in, and found the girls smoking pipes, and 
sitting and lounging about the room. In a few minutes Allen 
came in and proposed to have the girls dance for us, but we 
declined. 

" ' Well then, Arnold, let's have a song,' he exclaimed. 

"Mr. Arnold, as usual, asked the girls what they would 
like to hear, and they at once asked for their favorite — 
' There is Eest for the Weary.' 

" ' Here, mother, give me my fiddle,' said Allen to his wife, 
'and bring out the books,' meaning the Little Wanderer's 
Friend, of which he keeps a supply. 

"The books were got out by one of the girls, the fiddle 
was handed him by his wife, and Allen led off on the treble, 
all hands joining in. There were eleven girls in the room, 
and they sang in the chorus with unusual fervor, even for 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. ool 

them. As soon as this song was finished, a couple of the 
girls, simultaneously, asked for ' There's a Light in the 
Window for Thee, Brother,' which was sung with emphasis 
and feeling. 

" At the conclusion of the last-mentioned song, Mr. Arnold 
believed that the appointed hour had come, and, tapping 
Allen on the shoulder, he said : 

" ' Well, John, old boy, give us your hand : I feel just like 
praying here with you !' 

" Allen took the extended hand and gruffly said, ' What, 
pray ? Do you mean pray ? No, sir, never !' 

" ' Well, John, responded Mr. Arnold, ' I am going to pray 
here, anyhow. If I don't pray loud I'll pray soft. You 
shant lose the prayer, at any rate.' 

" ' Well, Arnold, mind, now, if you pray IwonH hear you; 
mind that. I don't know any thing about it. I won't hear 
you.' 

" And backing slowly out of the room, and repeating, ' I 
won't hear you,' over and over again, Allen went through 
the door leading to the bar, and closed it after him. 

" Mr. Arnold then invited the girls to join in prayer with 
him, which they did, some of them kneeling on the floor, aa 
did the visitors, and others bowing their heads upon their 
hands, while Allen peered through the window of the parti- 
tion door upon the singular scene. 

" Mr. Arnold's heart was almost too full for utterance, but 
his fervor soon unloosed his tongue, and he poured out a 
simple, direct, and heartfelt prayer, which told powerfully 
upon the hearers. Many of the girls arose, sobbing, to their 
feet, and several of them crowded around Mr. Arnold, and 
begged him, in the name of God, to take them from that 
place. They would work their hands off, if honest work 



332 THE SECEETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

could be got for them ; they would submit to any hardship 
if they could only be restored to opportunities for virtue and 
a Christian life. 

" Poor Arnold ! He was the picture of despair. It came 
upon him, all at once, that there is no help for such, this 
side the grave. He had at last conquered his opportunity, 
and prayed with these children of sin and shame, and now 
that they were calling upon him to answer his own prayer — 
to give them a chance to eat the bread of life — he had to put 
them off with the stone of evasion. 

" Take them from that place ! Where could he take 
them ? In all this Christian land there is not a Christian 
home that would open its doors to a repentant female sinner, 
except to turn her out of the house. 

" On calling upon Mr. Arnold the next day, we found him 
in the room at the Mission, with his head bowed upon the 
table, as though in prayer. Looking up at us with blazing 
eyes, exclaimed : 

" ' Sir, what is to be done about this ?' 

" ' About what ?' we asked. 

a ' These poor girls,' he replied. ' I have been thinking 
and praying, and praying and thinking over it all night, but 
I can see no light. Sir, (pressing his head between his 
hands,) I shall go mad.' 

" There are about forty dance-houses in Mr. Allen's 
neighborhood ; that is to say, within a half mile square, of 
which No. 30i Water street is the centre. The average 
number of girls in each of these houses, the season through, 
is ten, making four hundred in them all. So that, to feed 
this half mile square of infamy requires eighty fresh girls 
per annum-. To feed the entire city, requires an average of 
two thousand one hundred and ninety-four a year, which 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 333 

is a trifle over six a day, Sunday included! Six fresh girls 
a day from the Sabbath-schools and virtuous homes of the 
land, to feed the licentious maw of this metropolis of the 
western world." 

THE WATER STREET REVIVAL. 

The result of the publication of Mr. Dyer's article, was t© 
centre upon John Allen an unusual shaie of public attention. 
Certain clergymen in the city, thinking the occasion a 
proper one for endeavoring to create a religious awakening 
amongst the worst classes of the city, determined to endeavor 
to induce John Allen to abandon his wicked ways, and 
lead a better life, hoping that his conversion would have 
a powerful influence upon his class. They went to work. 
On the 30th of August, 1868, John Allen's house was closed 
for the first time in seventeen years. A handbill posted on 
the door, contained the following announcement : 

" THIS DANCE-HOUSE IS CLOSED. 

"No gentlemen admitted unless accompanied by their 
wives, who wish to employ Magdalenes as servants." On 
the next clay it was announced that Allen had abandoned 
his infamous vocation, never to resume it. 

In order to do justice to all parties, we give the following, 
which states the case of the originators of the revivals in 
their own words. The paper is signed by J. M. Ward, M.D. ; 
Rev. H. C. Fish, D.D. ; Eev. W. C. Yan Meter ; A. C. Ar- 
nold ; Rev. W. H. Boole; Rev. F. Browne; Oliver Dyer: 
Rev. Isaac M. Lee ; Rev. Mr. Huntington. 

" The facts are as follows : 

" First. — At midnight on Saturday, the 29th clay of Au- 
gust, 1868, John Allen closed his dance-house, No. 304 



334 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Water Street, where he had for nearly seventeen years kept 
a rum shop and house of prostitution. As soon after such 
closing of the dance-house as the rooms could be arranged 
for the purpose, a prayer-meeting was held in the dancing 
saloon, with the concurrence of Mr. Allen and his wife. 
This meeting was begun at about half an hour after midnight, 
and continued until one o'clock in the morning. It was con- 
ducted and participated in by Messrs. Albert C. Arnold, 
Rev. H. C. Beach and Oliver Dyer ; and there were pre- 
sent Mr. and Mrs. Allen, the girls of the establishment, and 
a couple of Allen's neighbors, one of whom had been a 
liquor seller in the Fourth Ward for twenty years. 

" Second. — On the next day, the Sabbath, Mr. Allen at- 
tended worship, in the afternoon, at the Howard Mission, and 
then and there publicly announced that he had closed his 
dance-house, never to open it again for any jvil purpose. 
On the evening of the same day, a public prayer-meeting was 
for the first time held in Allen's house, hundreds of persons 
of all classes crowding the premises, among whom were some 
of the most abandoned characters of the neighborhood. 

Third. — Since these meetings were begun, they have been 
continued daily from noon till one o'clock, P. M., in Mr. 
Allen's house ; and on Sabbath, there have been large out- 
door meetings in front of the premises. On the 11th of Sep- 
tember, the house of Thomas Hadden, No. 374 Water street, 
kept as a low groggery and sailor's boarding-house, was also 
opened for religious services, at the hour of 12 o'clock ; the 
rooms being filled to overflowing, multitudes being unable 
to enter. At the same hour a prayer-meeting was in pro- 
gress at Allen's, and another upon the sidewalk opposite, to 
accommodate those who could not get within the doors at 
either Allen's or Hadden's. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 335 

"Fourth. — These meetings have been attended and sus 
tained by Christians of all denominations, and have uni 
fornily been characterized by extraordinary fervency and 
power. The congregations have been, to a considerable ex- 
tent, composed of sailors and residents of the Ward, (the 
Fourth,) which is known as the worst ward in the city. Some 
of the most wretched outcasts of this infamous locality have 
been present, and have, in several instances, requested prayer 
and private religious instruction ; some cases resulting, as it 
is hoped, in their permanent reformation and conversion." 

THE OTHER SIDE. 

It is hardly possible that such religious demonstrations as 
the prayer-meetings which were held in Water street in Sep- 
tember, 1868, could fail to do good to some one. The friends 
of the movement, however, made a grave mistake in an- 
nouncing and spreading the report of John Allen's conver- 
sion, and even in allowing him to take part in their meetings, 
when it was known to them that he was not even a repen- 
tant, much less a converted man. The announcement of his 
conversion set on foot an inquiry, on the part of the press 
of the city, the results of which are thus stated by the New 
York Times, of September 19 th. 

" The highly sensational stories concerning the ' wickedest 
man in New York,' with which the eyes and ears of the pub- 
lic have been regaled of late, have awakened an interest in 
John (Van) Allen such as has not been felt since the ever 
memorable reformation of 'Awful' (Orville) Gardner, the 
notorious pugilist and gambler, who, nearly eleven years 
ago, suddenly forsook the prize ring and the card table, with 
their vile associations, and began to live like an honest man, 
and a respectable member of society. Gardner was for several 



336 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

years a companion of Allen's in a line of open, shameless sin 
ning, and was classed with the very lowest strata of human- 
ity. When his ' conversion ' was announced there were few 
that believed in the man's sincerity, while fewer still had any 
faith in the thoroughness or probable perpetuity of the refor- 
mation. Gardner deceived the masses of his fellows, however, 
by adhering strictly to his solemn pledge to ' serve (rod in 
the future as zealously as he had served Satan in the past,' 
and to this day he has indorsed that oath with a life of the 
most irreproachable character. 

" The same depth of popular interest that was born with 
the reformation of the prize-fighter and gambler, in 1857, 
was brought forth recently, when the community was startled 
with the strange news that the King of Water street dance- 
house keepers had abandoned his wicked business, and, like 
his associate of old, had promised to devote the remaindei }f 
his days to serving the highest interests of mankind. That 
Gardner was sincere and earnest, and that his motives were 
pure and unselfish, when he promised to be a better man, 
time has fully vindicated ; but that Allen deserves the same 
commendation is, to say the least of it, very questionable, as 
is shown by the inconsistencies of his brief probationary 
career. To speak plainly, it is no more a matter of doubt 
that the religious community has been grossly imposed upon, 
with reference to the Water street ' revival,' as will be seen 
by glancing at a few stubborn facts that cannot be reconciled 
to a more favorable theory. Upon whose shoulders the guilt 
of this deception rests, may not have been discovered, but, 
most assuredly, the righteous indignation of the public will 
fall, unsparingly, upon whoever may deserve its infliction. 

" The facts, negatively stated, are briefly and plainly 
these : There is not a religious revival in progress among the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 337 

wretched dwellers in Water street dance-halls, and sailors' 
boarding-houses, nor has there been of late, as represented to 
the public. Neither Allen, Tommy Hadden, Slocum, nor 'Kit' 
Burns are 'converted' or reformed men, all accounts to the 
contrary notwithstanding. The whole movement originated 
several months ago, in the efforts of the colporteurs of a certain 
mission, to ameliorate the condition of sailors and fallen women 
of the Fourth Ward. House-to-house visits were made by the 
missionaries for a considerable length of time, but without ac- 
complishing all that was desired. At length it was decided that 
an unusual and sensational method should be taken to arouse 
Water street, and Water street was accordingly aroused. 
Allen was selected as the victim against whom the shafts of 
religion should be specially levelled, and they were, therefore, 
directed toward him. Two articles appeared in a certain 
magazine, calling attention to Allen as the ' wickedest man 
in New York,' and in a short time he was the most notorious 
character in the country. The aim of the article in question 
was evidently to shame John Allen into a change of life, and 
thus to obtain a foothold among his vile neighbors and com- 
panions in sin. The stroke was a bold one, but it utterly 
failed in its purpose to soften John's heart. The result, 
however, was that thousands of religious persons — clergymen 
and others — thronged his house daily, either from a motive 
of curiosity, or of inducing John to abandon his wicked life 
and become a religious man. This he sternly refused to do, 
threatening to throw any preaching or praying people, who 
might come there, out of doors. The rush of visitors of the 
better classes to his house entirely destroyed his business, and 
for weeks he did not make a dollar of profit in his usual way. 
Finding that Allen could not be coerced into a reformation, 
and fearing that the game would be lost, his religious shep- 
21 



338 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

"herds made a proposition to him to hire his house for one 
month, to October 1, for daily prayer meetings, and such ar- 
rangement was, after some discussion, perfected. For the use 
of the rooms it is known that a check for three hundred and 
fifty dollars was passed to Allen, last week, by a party control- 
ling the movement, and the house is now in legal possession of 
the drawer of the check. Allen's prayers, songs, and exhor- 
tations, with which he interested the praying dupes who 
gathered to his house, were assuredly bogus, and, after being 
continued for two or three days, they were abandoned, and 
thereafter, in drunken obliviousness or cunning reticence, the 
' wickedest man ' passed his time, avoiding visitors, and talk- 
ing only when compelled to do so. What he purposes to do 
hereafter will be learned in the course of this article. So 
much for Allen's falsely reputed conversion ! 

" As for the other men's reformation, that is as absolutely 
a piece of humbuggery as Allen's. Tommy Hadden is play- 
ing the pious with the hope of being secured from trial before 
the Court of General Sessions for having recently ' shang- 
haed a Brooklynite, and also in consideration of a handsome 
moneyed arrangement with his employers — similar to that 
with Allen. ' Kit ' Burn's rat-pit will also be opened for 
religious services on Monday next ; but the public need not 
be deceived in the matter of his reformation. His motive, 
like that of the others, is to make money, and, be it known, 
that he is to receive at the rate of one hundred and fifty dol- 
lars per month, for the use of his pit an hour every day. 
Slocum desired prayers at the Howard Mission, on Sunday 
last, but it is understood that he is not to be lionized, be- 
cause the missionaries are not willing to pay him a high 
enough rental for his hall. As for the general movement 
carried on in Water street, under the false pretence that these 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 339 

men "have voluntarily, and from purely religious motives, 
offered their saloons for public worship, and have, them 
selves, determined to reform, very little more need- be said 
The daily prayer-meetings are nothing more than assem 
blages of religious people from among the higher grades of 
society, in what were once low dance-halls. There is an 
unusual amount of interest displayed at these meetings, and 
much good has, doubtless, been accomplished thereby, but it 
is also a fact, that there are but a few, and sometimes none, 
of the wretched women, or ruffianly, vicious men, of that 
neighborhood, present. Those classes are not reached at all, 
and it is false to say that a revival is going on among them. 
The character of the audiences and the exercises are similar 
to that of the noon meeting at the Fulton street Church. 

" With a view of sounding Allen on various points of 
public interest, connected with this exciting affair, the writer, 
on Thursday, paid a visit to the devildom of which Allen is 
monarch, and there saw and heard some things that are 
worth the reader's attention. The house, 304 Water street, 
was easily found. Opening the door that leads from the 
street into the apartment that once served as a bar-room, he 
(the writer) asked if Mr. Allen was at home, and he was 
informed by a lad to whom the inquiry was addressed, that 
he was not — he was across the street talking to Slocum, (the 
proprietor of a neighboring dance-hall,) and if the business 
upon which the visitor had called was important he would 
be summoned. Allen was accordingly sent for, and with 
evident reluctance he accompanied the lad to the room of 
which we have spoken. 

" The moment he entered, it was easily seen that he was 
grossly intoxicated. His step was steady, but the wandering 
expression of his bloodshot eyes, the silly grin that played 



340 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

about his lips, and the unmistakable rum-odor of his breath, 
as he approached, made it certain that he was a drunken 
man. He did not wait for the formalities of an introduction, 
but at once opened with : ' Well, who are you ? What's 
your name ? Where do you live ? What's your business — 
salvation, sinners, eh ?' — all at a single breath, and with a 
rapidity that would defy the pencil of the most skilful sten- 
ographer. There was an air of imperiousness, too, in his 
tone of voice, that seemed to say, ' Come, talk quickly now, 
and then go about your business ; I have no time to waste.' 
The inquiries, in the main, having been answered, Allen 
closed the door of the saloon, dragged a small table and two 
chairs into the middle of the floor, and, having done this, and 
dismissed the boy and a hideous-looking girl, who was pre- 
paring to scrub the apartment, he bade us be seated, and 
then resumed the conversation, which was carried on in some- 
thing like the following manner : , 

" ' Well, Mr. Allen, what do you desire to say to the public 
about this reform work?' 

" ' Don't know what to say about it — it's all right, I guess. 
You can tell 'em that those prayin' " fellers " have broken all 
my cane chairs, and I've had to get wooden ones — guess they 
can't break them. Broke my glass there, too, smashed it in, 
and they smash everything they touch. Somebody stole 
my coat, too— I'd like to catch him. I don't much like them 
prayin' folks, anyhow,' he said. 

"'Why?' was the rejoinder, in evident surprise, 'the 
public has been led to believe that you were " converted," 
John, and that you loved Christian people— there will bo 
great surprise when it is made known that such is not the 
case.' 

" ' Oh !' he returned, interrupting the visitor, ' I'm re- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 341 

formed, and I've made up my mind to serve my great Ee- 
deemer as long as he lets me live. I'll never go back on 
Him, true as you live. I'm just a goin' to let the world 
know that I'm a second Apostle Paul — there ain't a goin' to 
be anybody beat me in this line of business, sure's my name 
is John Allen.' 

" ' What do you mean by "a second Apostle Paul ?" ' we 
ventured to ask. 

" ' What do I mean ?' was the reply. ' Why, I mean 
just what I say ; I'm goin' to study for a preacher, and I'm 
goin' to sweep everything in this street. If one church won't 
have me, another will; and I'll tell these wicked sinners 
in the world that they'd better look out for themselves, or 
they'll wake up some fine moruing in hell fire.' 

" ' You say that you are going to preach, John. Do you 
suppose that people will hear you from the pulpit, unless 
you stop drinking rum ?' 

" ' Who told you I drank rum ?' he asked, fiercely — and 
without waiting for a reply, continued : ' I never was drunk 
in my life. I take a glass now and again, when I feel the 
need of it; and lately I've been tapering off. I am going to 
stop it, by-and-by, when .1 get ready.' " 

THE LAST OF THE WICKEDEST MAN. 

The last appearance of the "wickedest man" in public, 
was a short while ago, when he and his wife, and several of 
his girls, were arraigned before Justice Dowling, at the 
Tombs Police Court, on the charge of robbing a sailor of fif- 
teen dollars. The trial, as reported in the daily journals, was 
a severe commentary upon the revivals, and those who had 
been conducting them. The following is the account of it : 

" John Allen and wife, and several girls, who have made 



342 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

that saintly personage's house their home, were before Jus ■ 
tice Dowling yesterday morning, to answer a number of 
damaging charges — among them, keeping a resort for thieves, 
gamblers, and prostitutes, and robbing Benjamin Swan, a 
seaman. The story may be best told by the victim, who was 
examined by Justice Dowling, as follows. 

" Justice. — ' Tell me, Swan, how this robbery occurred.' 

" Swan. — ' Well, your Honor, I was going along Water 
street, on Friday night, and was picked up by the girl, and 
taken to a private room in the house of Allen. I gave 
Mrs. Allen five dollars, to pay for drinks, etc. ; and during 
the night, my bedfellow, Margaret Ware, took from my pan- 
taloons pocket fifteen dollars, which she said she gave to 
Mrs. Allen to keep. When I asked it back, they would not 
give it to me. I am sure it was John Allen's house.' 

" The testimony of this witness having been taken, Captain 
Thorne made a formal complaint against John Allen for 
keeping a disorderly house. 

" Justice. — ' How do you know that he keeps a disorderly 
house, captain ?' 

" Captain.— 1 1 take it on the testimony of this man, who 
has been robbed there.' 

" Justice. — ' Yes, but you must have stronger testimony 
than that. The law says that it requires more than one act 
to constitute a disorderly place.' 

" Captain.—' I have policemen here to prove that it is dis- 
orderly.' 

" Justice.— 1 Allen, what do you say to this charge ?' 

" Allen. — ' Your Honor, during the past six weeks I have 
done no business. My house has been used all the time for 
prayer-meetings.' 

" Justice.—' What about the robbery of this man ?' 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 343 

* Allen. — ' I have nothing to say about it, for I was not at 
home last night. I know very well that the captain does 
not want to have me locked up. We have always been good 
friends, haven't we, captain V 

" Captain. — ' I have nothing to say about it.' 

" Allen. — ' If no charge is made, I promise to have nothing 
to do with politics.' 

" Justice. — ' Do you mean to say that politics had any 
thing to do with your arrest ?' 

" Allen. — ' I don't say anything at all about it, your Honor.' 

" Justice. — ' Then why do you hint at it ?' 

" Allen. — ' I will promise not to interfere one way or the 
other, if I am allowed to go.' 

The court loungers, who know something of the peculiar 
politics of the Fourth Ward, here laughed immoderately. 

" Justice. — ' You go to the captain, and tell him all 
about it.' 

" Allen. — ' I won't vote at all if I am let go. I always keep 
in with the police.' (Laughter.) 

" Justice.—' That's right.' 

" Allen. — 'Only for the kindness of the police, T never 
could have kept my place so many years. They have always 
been my friends.' (Laughter.) 

" Justice. — ' How long is it since you have had any prayer 
meetings in your house ?' 

"Allen. — 'About eight days.' 

" Justice. — ' You have got through with them, then, have 
you?' 

" Allen. — ' Well, yes, they are not held in my house anj- 
more, but they do be held at Jim Miller's, next door, all the 
same.' 

" Justice. — 'I believe those praying fellows are the most 



344 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

disorderly persons in Water street. Captain, if you would 
arrest them, some time, and charge them with disorderly 
conduct, I think you would be doing good service to the 
community, for their religious gatherings have been a farce.' 
"Margaret Ware was committed for trial, and John Allen 
was held on three hundred dollars bail to answer at the 
Special Sessions. Daniel Creedon, lodging-house keeper, 
who represents ten thousand dollars in real estate, became 
John Allen's bondsman. John says that Oliver Dyer caused 
his arrest and that the whole thing was a ' put up job.' " 

THE RESULT. 
We grant, without hesitation, that those who originated 
and carried on the Water street revivals, were influenced by 
worthy motives; but, having given both sides of the case, 
we maintain that the whole affair was a grave mistake. 
There was no genuine conversion of the principal characters, 
and this fact was soon made evident. The public became 
disgusted with the sham. The class for whose benefit the 
movement was designed, has been morally injured by it. 
Good people are made chary of engaging in schemes for the 
conversion of bad characters, lest tney should be drawn into 
another " John Allen affair," and the wretches who were to 
have been saved, having been quick to detect the deceit 
practiced in the matter, denounce all the efforts and declara- 
tions of the actors in this affair as hypocrisy and cant, and 
will for a long time hold aloof from them. On the whole, 
therefore, we can but regard the cause of religion as more 
injured than benefited by the mistaken zeal of those who 
conducted the Water street revivals. The men themselves 
are above reproach. Their motives, no candid person will 
impugn, but their wisdom and good sense are open to the 
gravest criticism. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



CHEAP LODGING HOUSES. 



The Bowery and eastern section of the city are lull of 
cheap lodging houses, which form a peculiar feature of city 
life. " There is a very large and increasing class of vagrants 
who live from hand to mouth, and who, beneath the dignity 
of the lowest grade of boarding houses, find a nightly abode 
in cheap lodgings. These establishments are planned so as to 
afford the greatest accommodation in point of numbers with 
the least in point of comfort. The halls or rather passages 
are narrow, and the rooms are small, dark, dirty and infested 
with vermin. The bedding consists of a straw pallet and 
coarse sheets, and a coverlet of a quality too poor to be an 
object of luxury. In some houses no sheets or coverlet are 
afforded, but even with the best of these accommodations the 
lodger suffers from cold in the winter, while in the summer 
he is devoured with bed-bugs. For such accommodations in 
a room which half a dozen may share, the lodger pays ten 
cents, though it is said there is a lower depth where they 
sleep on the floor and pay half the above-mentioned price. 
The profit of this business may be inferred from the fact that 
one hundred and fifty lodgings, and in some cases a much 
larger number, are sold by each house, making a net receipt 
of $15 per night, to which is to be added the profits of a bar, 
where the vilest whiskey is retailed in ' dime nips.' The 
business of a lodging house seldom commences before ten 
o'clock, and its greatest rush is just after the closing of the 

345 



346 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

theatres ; but all through the night, till three o'clock in the 
morning, they are receiving such of the outcast population 
as can offer the price of a bed. To any one interested in the 
misery of the city, the array presented on such an occasion 
is very striking. One sees every variety of character, runaway 
boys, truant apprentices, drunken mechanics and broken-down 
mankind generally. Among these are men who have seen 
better days. They are decayed gentlemen who appear regu- 
larly in Wall street, and eke out the day by such petty 
business as they may get hold of, and are lucky if they can 
make enough to carry them through the night. In all lodg- 
ing houses the rule holds good ' first come, first served,' and 
the last man in the room gets the worst spot. Each one 
sleeps with his clothes on and his hat under his head to keep 
?t from being stolen. At eight o'clock in the morning all 
oversleepers are awakened and the rooms got ready for the 
coming night. No one is allowed to take anything away, 
and if the lodger has a parcel he is required to leave it at the 
bar. This prevents the theft of bed-clothes. As the ex- 
penses connected with lodging houses are very light, they are 
generally profitable, and in some instances large fortunes have 
been made at the business. The one recently burned was a 
correct illustration of the vices and miseries of the poor; 
a lodging house up stairs and in the basement a concert- 
saloon, so that the poverty engendered by the one could be 
sheltered by the other." 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

BLACK-MAILING. 

The detectives are constantly at work in attempts, wlibb 
are generally successful, to protect persons of respectability 
from the clutches of that unscrupulous class known as black- 
mailers. These individuals are very numerous in the city, 
and are generally to be found amongst the most desperate 
and wicked of the disreputable classes. Street-walkers and 
fast women of all classes are most commonly engaged in it. 
The woman is the visible actor, but she is generally sus- 
tained by a rough, or professional thief, or pickpocket. They 
are not content with making victims of those who have really 
committed indiscretions which have come to their knowledge, 
but they fasten upon the innocent and really virtuous, well 
knowing that nine persons out of ten, though really guiltless 
of any fault, will rather comply with their demands than 
have their names connected with a scandal. Such persons 
think that the wretch will not dare to charge them with the 
offence, or endeavor to extort money a second time, and do 
not regret the first outlay. They ought never to yield, 
whether innocent or guilty, for the wretches are sure to make 
repeated demands upon those who are weak enough to com- 
ply with them. The law makes it a crime for any one to 
endeavor to extort money in this way, and no one so threat- 
ened should hesitate for one moment ir applying to the 
police. 

347 



348 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

A MINISTER BLACK-MAILED. 

A minister, who shall be nameless, was coming out of hia 
robing-room one Sabbath night, after service, and was passing 
down the aisle on his way out of the building, when he was 
accosted by a well-dressed and rather handsome woman, who 
asked him to allow her a few moments' conversation with 
him. He granted her request, and she said she had come to 
ask him to go with her to see her sister, who was lying at 

the point of death at a boarding-house in street. She 

seemed very much distressed, and declared she would " go 
deranged" if her sister should die without seeing a clergy- 
man. She added that her sister and herself were both 
strangers in the city, and that as they had never been to any 
other church but that in charge of the gentleman she was 
addressing, they would prefer his ministrations to those of 
any other person. The woman's story was so simple and 
straightforward that the minister did not hesitate to believe 
her, and accompanied her to a plain but respectable-looking 

house in street. He noticed, while in the cars — for 

they took this means of conveyance in order to save time — 
that a number of persons looked at his companion and him- 
self rather strangely, but still he suspected nothing. 

On reaching the house, the woman rang the bell, and they 
were admitted. She asked him to wait. a moment in the 
parlor. The room was flashy, and the appearance of the 
men and women, who were grouped about in it, was far from 
being respectable, though there was nothing improper in 
their conduct. The minister's suspicions were aroused at 
once by the general appearance of things, and were increased 
as he saw the whispered conversation going on between the 
other occupants of the room, and of which he was evidently 
the subject. In a few minutes his companion returned, and 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 349 

asking him to follow her, led the way up to hei room. He 
went with her, still thinking that his suspicions might have 
been misplaced. Several women passed him on the stairway 
each of whom greeted him with an impudent laugh. Upon 
reaching the room, the minister found that he had been 
deceived. There was no sick woman present, and he was 
alone with his infamous companion. As she closed the door, 
she came up to him, and put her arm around him. He threw 
her off sternly. 

" What does this mean," he asked. 

"I wanted to have the pleasure of your society," said the 
woman, laughing. " Now that you are here, you had better 
etay." 

Without a word, the clergyman turned towards the door, 
but the woman* sprang before him. 

" You don't leave me in this way," she said. " I want 
money, and I must have it." 

" I have none for you," said the minister. " Let me pass." 

" Listen to me," said the woman : " I want two hundred 
dollars. Pay the money, and I will -never tell of your visit 
here. If you refuse me, I'll tell the story all over town." 

" Do so," was the reply. " I will tell how I was led here, 
how I was deceived, - and I will have you arrested." 

" My tale's the best," said the woman, defiantly. " I can 
prove your presence in the parlor by every girl in the house, 
and those who saw you in the hall will swear you came to 
my room with me. They will swear to no lie, either, and 
nine people out of ten will believe my story against yours. 
To say the least," she added, "it will fasten such a suspicion on 
you as will ruin you with your congregation; so you'd better 
pay me my money." 

The minister was silent for a moment. He felt that his 



350 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

presence in that place would give rise to a terrible suspicion, 
and he knew that a man in his position could not afford to 
be suspected. However innocent he might be, the faintest 
breath of scandal would injure him greatly. He thought 
over the matter rapidly, and at last said : 

" The sum you name is a very large one to me, and I 
could not pay you to-night, were I inclined to do so. Give me 
until to-morrow to think of it." 

The woman's eyes sparkled, for she thought her victim 
would surely yield. 

" Where can I see you to-morrow ?" she asked. 

" At my residence, No. — W street, at twelve o'clock/' 

he said. "Send in your name as Mrs. White, and I will see 
you at once." 

"You had better do so," said the woman, emphatically. 
"Now you can go." 

She led the minister down the stairs, and allowed him to 
leave the house. Instead of going home, he went straight to 
the Police Headquarters, and made his statement to the 
officer in charge, and was advised as to the course he should 
pursue. Then he went home, and told his wife of the whole 
affair, and of the course of action he had marked out. 

The next day, precisely at noon, the so-called Mrs. White, 
accompanied by a villainous-looking man, arrived at the 
minister's residence, and the two were shown into his study. 
He received them calmly, and the woman introduced the 
man, as " her friend, who had come to see fair play." This 
announcement did not in the least disconcert the minister, 
who proceeded to state in plain terms the events connected 
with the affair of the previous night. 

"You acknowledge this to be a true statement," he said 
to the woman. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 351 

" Yes, it is the truth," she said, " but your innocence will 
not keep people from suspecting you." 

VYou demand the sum of two hundred dollars as the 
price of your silence on the subject," he continued. 

" That's my price." 

''If I make it three hundred will you sign a paper 
acknowledging your deceit and my innocence?" he asked, 
producing a roll of notes. 

"Yes," she replied, after consulting with her companion. 

" Then sign that," he said, handing her a written paper 
and a pen. 

The man read it, and nodded his head, and she signed it. 

"Now, gentlemen," said the minister, raising his voice, and 
drawing the paper to him, " you can enter, and witness the 
signature." 

As he spoke the door of an adjoining room opened, and a 
detective and one of the .wardens of the minister's church 
entered. They had been concealed in the next room, and 
had heard and witnessed the whole transaction. 

" Who are these men ?" asked the woman, springing up. 

"Why, don't you know me, Eliza?" asked the detective, 
coolly. " This isn't the first time I've put a stop to your 
villainy. " I guess you'll go in for a few years this time." 

" Give me my money, and let me go," said the woman, 
fiercely, turning her back on the detective and facing the 
minister. 

"Eliza," said the detective, "you'll not get one cent. 
This gentleman wants the matter dropped here, and if you 
are not a fool you'll go about your business. You have 

signed a paper clearing Mr. from all suspicion, and 

you can't do him any further harm. The case is in my 
hands. If you will leave New York for Boston or PkiladaU 



352 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

phia to-night, I'll be quiet— I shall watch you, and if you'™ 
iu town to-morrow, you'll be in Sing Sing before two 
months are out. Now go home and pack your trunk." 

" I've been a fool," said the woman, bitterly. . 

"So you have, my dear," said the detective. " Now go 
home, and take this interesting young man w'ith you." 

The guilty pair departed in silence, and the minister waa 
not troubled with them again. The courage and prudence 
of an innocent man enabled him to defeat this deep laid 
scheme for his ruin. Had he yielded and paid the money, 
the demand would have been renewed, and he would in the 
end have been ruined and disgraced without ever having 
committed a crime. 

We recently heard of a case of an opposite character. A 
minister, settled over a large and wealthy congregation, waa 
approached by one of these women, and charged with a crime 
of which he was entirely innocent. The woman professed 
to have an abundance of proof against him. He was a weak, 
vain man, proud of his reputation, and afraid of the slightest 
whisper of scandal, and he was terrified by the woman's bold 
assertions. In order to get rid of her, he paid her the sum 
she demanded, and received her promise not to trouble him 
again. In a few weeks she returned, and demanded a larger 
sum, which was paid. These demands then became so fre- 
quent and heavy that the minister could hardly support his 
family on what was left of his salary. He resigned his 
charge, and accepted a call to a distant city, hoping to escape 
his persecutors, for he could not doubt that the woman was 
urged on by others ; but they followed him to his new home, 
and so harassed and plundered him that he was forced to 
ask the aid of the police, who discovered and arrested his 
tormentors. This ended the demands upon his purse, but he 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 353 

had been plundered of over eight thousand dollais, which 
was entirely lost to him. Had he acted as a sensible man at 
first, he would have been saved his losses and his sufferings. 

A BRIDE IN THE TOILb. 

Not long since a young lady of fashion, about to be married 
to a wealthy gentleman of i>his city, was called on by a woman 
who was unknown to her. The stranger stated her business 
without delay. She had heard that the young lady, whom 
we will call Miss E , was about to marry Mr. F . 

" I have come to say," she added, " that I am in need of 
money. I want five hundred dollars, which is a small sum 
to a woman as rich as ydu. I intend to make this marriage 
the means of raising it. If you do not pay me the money, I 

shall go to Mr. F , and tell him that you are not a 

virtuous woman. He will not believe me, at first, but I shall 
set a rumor afloat which will soon be known amongst all 
your fashionable friends." 

"But, by your own story, there will be no truth in it," 
said Miss E , amazed at the woman's effrontery. 

" That is true," said the woman, " but you know that a 
false rumor will accomplish as much as a true one. I will 
take care that the rumor is well spread, and if you refuse mo 
the money, it will be said all over New York that your 
virtue is a matter of doubt. Your character will be stained, 
and your marriage will be broken off." 

Miss E was astounded at such cool villainy, but fortu- 
nately her courage and self-possession did not desert her. 
Bidding the woman await her return, she left the room, 
and went straight to her lover, who was fortunately in the 
house at the time. She told him all that had occurred, and 
they at once sought her father, and laid the matter before 
22 



354 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

him. The old gentleman advised them to go to the parlor and 
confront the woman, and at the same time sent for the police- 
man on that " beat." The woman seemed surprised, when she 
saw the lovers enter the room, and she rose to her feet in 

alarm. " This is Mr. F ," said Miss E , calmly, "and 

I have just told him of your infamous proposition." 

" You have beaten me," said the woman, " but I'll take 
care that you suffer for it." 

She was about to leave the room, when Mr. F placed 

himself before the door. 

"You cannot leave this house," he said, sternly. "We 
have sent for a policeman, and you must wait till he comes.''' 

The woman sat down without a word, and in a few minutes 
the policeman arrived. He recognized her as an old offender, 

and after congratulating Miss E upon her coolness and 

good sense, led the woman away. The black-mailer was sent 
to prison, and the wedding proceeded without interruption. 

DESPERATE CHARACTERS. 

The incidents already given, will show how this system ia 
conducted. As a general rule, the wretches are easily 
disposed of with the aid of the police, but sometimes it re- 
quires all the ingenuity of the most experienced detective to 
ferret out and foil the plot. These wretches know that re 
spectable people dread scandal, and they profit by this knowl- 
edge. They are sometimes bold and unscrupulous in their way 
of conducting their business, and at other times endeavor to 
palm themselves off as injured innocents. They rarely meddle 
with women, for the difficulties in their way are greater ; but, 
as they know that almost any story about a man will be be- 
lieved, they fasten themselves like leeches upon the male 
sex. Young men about to make rich marriages are bled 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 355 

iveely, for few will care to risk a scandal which might break 
off the whole affair. If a young man refuses one of them on 
such occasions, she goes boldly to the lady he is to marry, 
and declares herself the innocent and wronged victim of the 
aforesaid young man. This is her revenge, and the majority 
of young men, knowing them to be capable of such a course, 
comply with their demands on the spot. There is nothing 
these wretches will not do, no place they will not invade, in 
order to extort money from their victims. 

Persons from the country, stopping at the hotels of the 
city, are frequently the objects of the attacks of the black- 
mailers. A man's name is learned from the hotel register, 
and he is boldly approached and charged with conduct he 
never dreamed of being guilty of. The scoundrel professes 
to know him and his whole family, and names the price of 
his silence. Too often the demand is complied with, and the 
money paid. The proper course to pursue when accosted in 
such a manner, is to call upon the nearest policeman for 
assistance in shaking off the wretch. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

CHATHAM STREET. 

Chatham street begins at City Hall Place and ends at 
Chatham square. It is not over a fourth of a mile in length, 
and is narrow and dirty. It is taken up, principally, with 
Jews and low class foreigners. There are also some cheap 
hotels and lodging houses, several pawnbroker's shops, and 
half a dozen concert saloons in the street. The lowest class 
Jews abound in this quarter, and vile, filthy wretches they 
are. They deal in imitation jewelry, old clothes, and cheap 
clothing. There is little, if any, honesty in the street, and any 
one buying an article within its limits must expect to be 
cheated. The streets running off to the right and left, lead 
to the Five Points and kindred districts, and it is this 
wretched part of the city which furnishes the greatest 
number of customers to Chatham street. The buildings are 
generally constructed in the old style, a new house being a 
rarity in this locality, and are foul and dingy. The shops 
are low and dark, and smell horribly. The men and women 
who frequent them look like convicts, and as they sit in their 
doorways watching for custom, they seem more like wild 
beasts waiting for their prey, than like human beings. They 
have no respectable customers, except the poor, who come 
into the neighborhood hoping to save money in their 
purchases. They fall victims to the sharpers who line the 
street, and the articles they buy are dear at whatever price 
they may pay for them. It is said that stolen goods fre- 
356 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 357 

quently find their way to Chatham street, and that a very 
large part of the traffic of that locality is carried on in viola- 
tion of the law. However this may be, we have but cne 
simple warning for all persons visiting the great city. Buy 
nothing in Chatham street, and keep out of it after dark. 

FORCED SALES. 

When business is dull in this locality, the "merchants" 
resort to many artifices to fill their coffers. One of their 
manoeuvres is called a " forced sale." A man walking along 
the street, will be seized and dragged into a clothing shop. He 
may protest that he does not wish to buy anything, but the 
" merchant " and his clerks will insist that he does, and before 
he can well help himself, they will haul off his coat, clap one 
of the store coats on his back, and declare it a "perfect fit." 
The new coat will then be removed and replaced by the old 
one, and the victim will be allowed to leave the shop. As 
he passes, out of the door, the new coat is thrust under his 
arm, and he is seized by the proprietor and his assistants. 
who shout "stop thief!" and charge him with stealing the 
coat. Their noise, and the dread of being arrested upon a 
charge of theft, will frequently so confuse and frighten the 
victim that he will comply with their demand, which is that 
he shall buy the coat. This done, he is suffered to depart. 
A refusal to yield would not injure him, for the scoundrels 
would seldom dare to call in the police, for fear of getting 
themselves into trouble, as their tricks are well known to 
the officers of the law. 






CHAPTER XL. 

THIEVES. 

Thieves are numerous in New York. As a general rule, 
they herd together in the worst quarters of the city — in the 
Five Points and along East Eiver — where they can rapidly 
and easily communicate with each other, and where they can 
hide from the police without fear of discovery. There are 
many blunderers in the fraternity, but there are also many 
experienced hands, who do a great deal of damage, and give 
a world of trouble to the authorities. These are generally 
well known to the police. 

THE THIEF LANGUAGE. 

The thieves of the city have a language, or argot, peculiar 
to themselves. Those who have been raised to the business 
use this argot to such an extent, that a stranger finds it as im- 
possible to understand them as he would if $hey were speak- 
ing in a foreign tongue. The Detectives' 1 Manual gives a glos- 
sary of this language, from which we take the following 
specimens, to be found in that work, under the head of the 
letter B. : 

Badger. — A panel-thief. 

Bagged. — Imprisoned. 

Bag of nails. — All in confusion. 

Ba Iram. — Mo n ey . 

Bandog. — A civil officer. 

Barking irons. — Pistols. 
353 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 359 

Bene. — Good, first-rate. 
Benjamin. — A coat. 
Bilk. — To cheat. 
Bill of sale. — A widow's weeds. 
Bingo. — Liquor. 
Bingo hoy. — A drunken man. 
Bingo mort.- — A drunken woman. 
Blue-hilly. — A strange handkerchief. 
Blue ruin. — Bad gin. 
Boarding-school. — The penitentiary. 
Bone hox. — The mouth. 
Bowsprit in parenthesis. — A pulled nose. 
Brother of the Made. — A soldier. 
Brother of the holus. — A doctor. 
Brush. — To flatter, to humbug. 
Bug. — A breast-pin. 
Bugger. — A pickpocket. 
Bull. — A locomotive. 

Bull-traps. — Eogues who personate officials to extort money. 
We could multiply these examples, but the above are 
sufficient to illustrate this branch of our subject. 

PROFESSIONAL THIEVES. 

The poor wretches who steal a few dollars' worth in open 
day, from stores and stands, are not considered by professional 
thieves as amongst the "fraternity," which embraces house- 
breakers, pick-pockets, and burglars. These persons are 
carefully trained by "old hands," and are by practice made 
as perfect as possible in their arts. Indeed, to be an accom 
plished burglar requires a very great degree of intelligence, 
courage, strength, and ingenuity. These men all have cer- 
tain distinct methods of performing their work, so that after 



360 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

they have been operating a short while, a detective can, by 
examining the traces, tell, with absolute certainty, the name 
of the burglar. Besides this, the life which these persons 
xbad stamps their countenances and general bearing with 
marks which an experienced officer will recognize at a glance. 
The sneak-thief, the pickpocket, and the burglar, have cer- 
tain habits, attitudes, haunts ; they act in certain ways when 
placed in certain positions, which reveal them and their 
occupations to a practiced eye, with almost as much certainty 
as the form and aspect of a blade of grass reveals its genus and 
species to the eye of a practiced botanist. A skilled detective 
will stand at the corner of a street, in a strange city, that he 
has never entered before, and will pick out, almost unerringly, 
the passers-by who belong to this criminal class. He will 
say, "This is a sneak-thief;" "This is a pickpocket;" " This 
man has just been released from the State prison ;" " This 
one is a gambler, stool-pigeon," etc., etc. ; being guided in his 
judgments by certain indications which the criminal involun- 
tarily displays by the sheer force of habit. 

A sneak-thief will pass along with that rapid, rolling 
glance of the eyes which distinguishes the tribe ; now he 
checks himself in his career ; it is but for an instant ; no un- 
professional eye directed towards him would notice it ; but 
the sudden pause would speak volumes to an experienced 
police officer. He knows that the thief's eye has caught the 
sight of silver lying exposed in the basement. In an hour 
, after he hears that the basement has been entered, and the 
silver in it carried off. He knows who has taken it, as well 
as if he had seen the man take it with his own eyes ; but il 
the thief has had time to run to the nearest receiver's den, 
the silver is already in the melting-pot, beyond the reacb ol 
identification 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 361 

HOW FINE HOUSES ARE ROBBED. 

Families living in the city cannot, of course, know who 
they are taking into their midst as servants, and it frequently 
happens that these girls are the confederates of burglars. 
They come for the purpose of spying out the premises, and 
from time to time report the internal arrangements to their 
" men." At the proper moment, the burglar, who has thus 
acquired a sufficient familiarity with the house, is admitted 
by the girl. He performs his work sometimes without de- 
tection, but sometimes adds murder, or attempts at murder, 
to his crime. These men are well known to the police, but 
as they are to be deemed innocent until proved guilty, it is 
hard, if not impossible, to prevent their crimes. A servant 
girl is seen in the area, towards evening, with a broom in 
her hand ; by her side is a man who is conversing earnestly 
with her. The policeman, as he passes along, recognizes 
him as a notorious burglar. That night the house is broken 
open and robbed, and perhaps some of the family murdered. 
The officer knows perfectly well who did it, but this knowl- 
edge goes for nothing in law. The man must be regularly 
tried, and proved guilty. Although the officer feels sure 
the man and woman are planning a burglary, when he sees 
them in the area, he cannot prevent it by arresting the man. 

"An incident in point has transpired of late, in illustration 
of this familiar danger. A gentleman's house, situate on 
Fifth Avenue, near Thirty-second street, was entered on the 
night of March 2-ith, by a brace of burglars, who were, as 
subsequent investigation proved, admitted at the basement, 
or servant's entrance, by one of the chambermaids. 

" The burglars succeeded in obtaining a considerable 
amount of plunder, but were alarmed by the unexpected 
awakening: of some of the inmates of the house, and hastily 



362 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

departed. Suspicion fell upon the delinquent maid, who was 
examined, confessed her guilt, stated that the principal bur- 
glar was her sweetheart, and promised that if she was per- 
mitted to escape the deserved public punishment of her crime, 
8he would see that the missing property was restored to its 
rightful owners. This 'arrangement' was accepted, the girl 
fulfilled her part of the contract, and every article that had 
been stolen was promptly restored. The chambermaid was 
dismissed, and any further prosecution of the affair was sum- 
marily closed. In this particular instance, it will be seen that 
matters terminated favorably, but it would be well if wealthy 
citizens would be warned against the ' family ' risk to which 
their property is exposed, and led to adopt the most stringent 
precautions against these dangers, especially when summer 
pleasures will entice the majority of the votaries of gayety and 
fashion ' out of town,' leaving their dwellings almost wholly 
to the ' care ' of not always reliable domestics." 

A HAIR THIEF. 

" During the summer of 1868, a young lady residing in a 
respectable part of the city, was decoyed by an elderly woman, 
(under the pretence of being able to introduce the young lady 
to a cheap dressmaker,) into a low neighborhood, where she 
was seized by two men, dragged into a hovel, and there held 
by the ruffians, while the old hag who had decoyed her 
thither, with a pair of shears cut off the larger portion of her 
luxuriant hair— to fill, as she coolly informed her victim, ' an 
order from a wig-maker.' The screams and struggles of the 
poor dupe were of no avail, and when finally thrust out of 
doors by her tormentors, she was so frightened that she wan- 
dered mechanically along, up and down streets, until she met 
a policeman, who, on hearing her story, called a carriage and 




TOLEN GOODS. 




Wf*fgg 




THE THIEVE'S EXCHANGE — A DRLNEING SALOON WHERE PAWNBROKERS GO TO BUT STOLEN GOODS. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 363 

had her conveyed home, but was not able from her incoherent 
and inaccurate description, either to identify the place where 
the outrage was committed, nor the people by whom it was 
perpetrated." 

THE THIEVES' EXCHANGE. 

There is, in the Eighth Ward of the City, an " Exchange," 
where the light-fingered gentry congregate and interchange 
confidential intelligence, the news of their profession, and 
exchange, the stolen goods temporarily in their possession. 
Attached to this is the wareroom of the proprietor, who is 
simply a receiver of stolen goods. There are many of these 
places in the city. 

The agent of the New York Prison Association, in one of 
his reports, says : 

" When a burglar has successfully entered a store, and car- 
ried off a large amount of property, in the form of fine goods, 
this property itself is of no more use to him than the dust of 
the street. He does not want to wear lace or jewelry. He 
does not need watches or penci'l-cases. He cannot eat cameos 
or vases. He, therefore, at once takes his plunder to his 
' fence,' and receives from him, in money, such a price as is 
usually agreed upon. It is very difficult to ascertain, with 
any degree of exactness, what proportion of the value of the 
plunder is realized on the average by the thief; but from the 
best information we could obtain, we feel confident it does not 
exceed one sixth. 

" A man whom we met in one of the jails, told us he was 
unsuccessful at first, because he had received no instructions 
in the art. We asked him what he deemed the most import- 
ant information to be obtained by a tyro in the business. He 
answered promptly : ' To know the names and characters of 



364 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

all the " fences " within a circle of thirty miles.' He could 
do little or nothing without this knowledge. 

" In the rural districts, these receivers of stolen goods are 
quite unknown, except among the thieves themselves, unless 
some unusually active deputy sheriff makes the discovery ; 
but in the cities, especially in New York and Brooklyn, they 
are as well known to the police officers as the city halls of 
those places. These officers are sure that everything they 
have in their warehouses is stolen ; they are acquainted with 
their ways of doing business ; and they know what thieves 
resort to each, and where they dispose of their ill-gotten 
property. Yet this knowledge avails but little in promoting 
the ends of justice. It is but rarely that any of this class are 
convicted of their offences. The reason is that strict legal 
proof of their guilt can very seldom be procured. 

"The study of the means of rapidly and effectually re- 
moving the marks by which the property in their hands can 
be identified, is the main business of their lives, and they 
acquire a degree of skill and dexterity in altering or effacing 
these marks, which is truly surprising. A melting-pot is 
always over the fire, to which all silver ware is consigned the 
instant it is received. The marks on linen, towels, and hand- 
kerchiefs are removed, sometimes by chemicals, sometimes 
by fine scissors made expressly for the purpose. Jewelry is 
at once removed from its settings, and the gold is either 
melted or the engraving is burnished out, so as in either case 
to make identification impossible. Eich velvet and silk gar- 
ments are transmogrified 'by the removal and re-arrangement 
of the buttons and trimmings. Pointed edges are rounded, 
and rounded edges are pointed, entirely changing the whole 
aspect of the garment, with such celerity that the lady who 
had worn the dress in the morning would not have the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 365 

slightest suspicion that it "was the same in the evening. Cot- 
ton, woo], rags, and old ropes, require no manipulation. 
"When once thrown upon the heap, they defy the closest 
scrutiny of the owners. There is scarcely an article which 
can be the subject of theft, which the resources of these men 
do not enable them, in a very short time, to disguise beyond 
the power of recognition. Their premises are skilfully 
arranged for concealment. They are abundantly provided 
with secret doors and sliding panels, communicating with 
dark recesses. Apertures are cut in the partitions, so that a 
person coming in from the front can be distinctly seen before 
he enters the apartment. The 'fence' is as well skilled as 
any lawyer in the nature of evidence. He knows the differ- 
ence between probability and proof as well as Sir William 
Hamilton himself. He does not trouble himself about any 
amount of probabilities that the detectives may accumulate 
against him ; but the said detective must be remarkably 
acute if he is ever able to get anything against him which 
will amount to strictly legal proof." 



CHAPTER XLI. 

PICKPOCKETS. 

Strangees coming to New York should always be on the 
watch for pickpockets, and even natives are not careful 
enough in this respect. Picking pockets has been reduced 
to a science here, and is followed by many persons as a pro- 
fession. It requires long practice and great skill, but these, 
when once acquired, make their possessor a dangerous mem- 
ber of the community. Women, by their lightness of touch 
and great facility in manipulating their victims, make the 
most dangerous operators in the city. The ferry boats, cars, 
stages, crowded halls, and public places afford the best oppor- 
tunities to pickpockets for the exercise of their skill. 

A lady, riding in an omnibus, discovers that she has los't 
her purse, which she knows was in her possession when she 
entered the stage. A well-dressed gentleman sits by her, 
whose arms are quietly crossed before him, and his fingers, 
encased in spotless kid gloves, are entwined in his lap, in 
plain sight of all the passengers, who are sure that he has 
not moved them since he entered the stage. Several persons 
have entered and left the vehicle, and the lady, naturally 
supposing one of them to be the thief, gets out to consult 
a policeman as to her best course. The officer could tell her, 
after a glance at the faultless gentleman who was her neigh- 
bor, that the arms so conspicuously crossed in his lap, aro 
false, his real arms all the time being free to operate under 
the folds of his talma. The officer would rightly point him 
out as the thief. 
36f 






THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 367 

On all the street cars, you -will see the sign, " Beware of 
•pickpockets /" posted conspicuously, for the purpose of warn- 
ing passengers. These wretches work in gangs of two, or 
three, or four. They make their way into crowded cars, and 
rarely leave them without bringing away something of value. 
An officer will recognize them at once. He sees a well- 
known pickpocket obstructing the car entrance ; another 
pickpocket is abusing him in the sharpest terms for doing so, 
while, at the same time, he is eagerly assisting a respectable 
gentleman, or a well-dressed lady, to pass the obstruction. 
One or two other pickpockets stand near. All this is as in- 
telligible to a police officer as the letters on a street sign. 
He knows that the man, who is assisting the gentleman or 
lady, is picking his or her pocket ; he knows that tne man 
who obstructs the entrance is his confederate ; he knows that 
the others, who are hanging about, will receive the contents 
of the pocketbook as soon as their principal has abstracted 
the same. He cannot arrest them, however, unless he, or 
some one else, sees the act committed ; but they will not 
remain long after they see him — they will take the alarm, as 
they know his eye is on them, and leave the car as soon as 
possible. 

A detective one day noticed a pickpocket riding in a 
crowded stage on Broadway. Stopping the vehicle, he 
mounted the step, and said, 

" Gentlemen, there is a notorious pickpocket in this stage. 
It must stand still until he leaves it." 

This announcement created no little consternation amongst 
the passengers, and each one commenced to feel for his val- 
uables. Fortunately, no one missed anything, but all began 
to feel uncomfortable, as it was plain each man suspected 
everybody else in the vehicle. Five minutes of painful 



368 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

silence elapsed, the officer keeping the stage at a halt ; and, 
at length, a venerable, highly respectable-looking old gentle- 
man got up, and made for the door, exclaiming, 

" I have a large sum of money on my person, gentlemen, 
and I can't consent to remain in such company." 

He left the vehicle, the detective making way for him. 
As he did so, the officer closed the door, and called to the 
driver, " Go ahead, he's out now !" 

The relief of the passengers was equalled only by their 
surprise. 

The ferry-boats, which reach or leave the city late at 
night, or early in the morning, with loads of sleepy and tired 
travellers, are much frequented by pickpockets. The pas- 
sengers are more off their guard at such times than at others, 
and the results are greater. 

Persons with prominent shirt pins, or watch chains, are 
amongst the principal victims of the fraternity. Those who 
are foolish enough to show their money in public places, suf- 
fer in the same way. The best plan is never to take money 
or valuables into public places. 

Female pickpockets, in stages, often rob gentlemen while 
the latter are raising or lowering a window for them. A 
watch, or pocketbook, or a valuable pin, is easily taken then, 
as the attention of the victim is entirely given to the act of 
courtesy he is performing. 

Women even carry their thieving into the churches. The 
Catholic churches, where the aisles are generally filled, and 
where the devout worshipper can easily be approached, are 
usually chosen for such exploits. The city papers frequently 
contain notices of such robberies. 

A woman will approach a man on the street at night, and, 
accosting him by a familiar name, will seize his arm and 




A PIOUS THIEF 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 369 

walk on with him. As most men are fond of adventures, 
the chances are that no effort will be made to throw off the 
woman, who, after walking and chatting for several squares, 
will suddenly turn to him, and exclaim, with a start, 

" Why ! you are not Harry after all ; I have made a mis- 
take !" 

And, with the most profuse apologies, she will make her 
escape. An immediate search will show the man that she 
has carried his wallet or his watch with her. 

Young boys, termed " Kids," are very dangerous ope- 
rators. They work in gangs of three or four, and by push- 
ing against their victim, seize what they can and make off. 
Sometimes one of this gang is arrested, but as he has trans- 
ferred the plunder to his confederates, who have escaped, 
there is no evidence against him. 

The members of the fraternity are well known to each 

other, and they arrange their scenes of operations, or 

"beats," with great care. No one will intrude upon the 

" beat " of another, for " there is honor even among thieves." 

23 



CHAPTER XLII. 

DRUNKENNESS. 

Drunkenness is very common in New York. About 
eighteen thousand arrests are made annually for drunkenness 
alone, and nearly ten thousand more for drunkenness and dis- 
orderly conduct. Besides these there are thousands of cases 
of which the police never hear. The vice is not confined to 
any class. It is to be seen in all conditions of life, and in 
both sexes. Day after day you will see men under the in- 
fluence of liquor, reeling through the streets, or lying under 
the trees in the public parks. The police soon rid the streets 
of such cases, which are comparatively few during the day. 

At night the number of intoxicated persons increases. You 
will then see all classes of drunkards. There goes a young 
man, handsomely dressed, evidently the son of a rich family, 
unable to stand by himself, and piloted by a friend whose chief 
care is to avoid the police. There is a clerk, whose habits 
will soon lose him his situation. Here is a woman, well 
dressed, too, reeling along at -a rate which will soon carry her 
into the arms of the policeman. The high and the low are 
represented on the streets. 

The bar-rooms and beer-gardens are in full blast, and will 
not close until midnight. The better class establishments are 
quiet and orderly, but the noise and confusion increases as 
we descend the scale of the so-called respectability of these 
places. The sale of liquors is enormous, and the work of de- 
struction of body and soul that is going on is fearful. The 
370 



- i i 



■: II 




A Fashionable New Yorker — Too much Wk.e. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 371 

bar-rooms, beer-gardens, restaurants, clubs, hotels, bouses of 
ill-fame, concert- balls and dance-bouses, are doing an enor- 
mous trade, and tbousands are engaged in tbe work of 
poisoning tbemselves with drink. 

Eespectable men patronize tbe better class bar-rooms, and 
respectable women the ladies' restaurants. At the latter 
places a very large amount of money is spent by women for 
drink. Wives and mothers, and even young girls, who are 
ashamed to drink at home, go to these fashionable restaurants 
for their liquor. Some will drink it openly, others will dis- 
guise it as much as possible. Absinthe has been introduced 
at these places of late years, and it is said to be very popular 
with the gentler sex. Those who know its effects will shud- 
der at this. We have seen many drunken women in New 
York, and the majority have been well dressed and of respec- 
table appearance. 

A lady recently went into a confectionery store to purchase 
some bonboiis. She was handsomely dressed, and was quite 
pretty. As the proprietor was making up her parcel he saw 
her stagger and fall. Hastening round to the front of the 
counter, he found her lying helpless on the floor, dead drunk. 

Standing at our window one day last winter, we noticed 
two ladies, evidently a mother and daughter, come out of one 
of the most fashionable private residences in the city, where 
they had been visiting. They waited on the corner for a car, 
which was seen coming around the park, and to our astonish- 
ment we saw the elder lady sit down flat in the street. She 
was instantly jerked up by the younger woman, whose ex- 
pression of intense disgust we shall not soon forget. As the 
old lady got on her feet again, her unsteadiness revealed the 
ftause of her singular conduct — she was drunk. 

There is a depth of misery in New York which those who 



372 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

have not seen it, cannot conceive of. It exists among the 
poorer classes, who spend their earnings in drink. They are 
always half stupefied with liquor, and are brutal and filthy. 
They get the poison from low shops, called 

BUCKET HOUSES. 

These shops sell the vilest and most poisonous liquors, and 
derive their name from the fact that their customers usually 
bring buckets, bowls, or pitchers for the stuff, instead of 
bottles* or jugs. They are confined to the worst quarters of 
the city, and are foul and wretched beyond description. The 
proprietors are brutal wretches, who are capable of any crime. 
They do all in their power to encourage drunkenness, in 
order to increase their gains. They knowingly sell actual 
poisons for drink — liquors which nothing would induce them 
to use. On Saturday nights the rush to these places is very 
great. Liquor cannot be procured the next day, and so the 
poor victims of the rum-seller lay in a double quantity, and 
spend the Sabbath in a state of beastly intoxication. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

GAMBLING HOUSES 

Games of chance of all kinds are forbidden in all the States 
by laws which prescribe various severe penalties for the 
offence ; but in spite of this prohibition, there is no country 
in the world where gambling is more common than in our 
own, and no city in the whole Union where it is carried on, to 
such an extent, as in New York. 

There are several classes of gambling houses in the city, 
which we shall endeavor to describe in their order. 

FIRST-CLASS HOUSES. 

There are very few of these houses in New York — perhaps 
not more than a dozen in all. They are located in fashion- 
able neighborhoods, and outwardly differ in nothing from the 
elegant private residences which surround them, except that 
the blinds are closed all day long, and the house has a silent, 
deserted air. In its internal arrangements it is magnificent. 
The furniture, carpets, and all its appointments are superb. 
Choice paintings and works of art are scattered through the 
rooms, in truly regal profusion. All that money can do to 
make the place attractive and luxurious has been done, and as 
money can always command taste, the work has been well done. 

The servants attached to the place are generally negroes 
of tne better class. They are well trained, many of them 
having been brought up as the valets, or butlers of the 
Southern gentry, and answer better for such places than 

373 



374 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

whites, inasmuch as they are quiet, uncommunicative, atten- 
tive and respectful. One of these men is always in charge of 
the front door, and visitors are admitted with caution, it being 
highly desirable to admit only the so-called respectable. 

It is sairl on good authority that it requires an annual out- 
lay of one million of dollars to keep up the first-class gaming 
houses of the city. This is a large sum, but the profits o/ 
the establishments are enormous. 

A work recently published in Paris, gives the following 
description of the establishment of a famous gentleman 
whose history is more like a romance than a reality. 

JOHN MOBBISSEY'S HOUSE. 

" My companion nodded to a servant standing in the hall," 
gays the writer referred to, " and we were allowed to enter. 
We went through'an elegantly furnished parlor, in which were 
many frequenters of the house, either conversing or reading 
newspapers. "We next entered a large room lighted by 
numerous gas-jets. In the centre of this apartment was a 
long table covered with green cloth. The room was crowded 
with persons busily engaged in gambling. Different games 
of chance are in vogue in the United States ; but the favorite 
game of European gamblers, roulette, was not tolerated in 
the establishment we were then visiting. In almost all the 
Spates, games of chance, for money, no matter what its 
amount, are prohibited, and gambling houses, being con- 
sidered as contrary to good morals, are forbidden. Gambling 
for money was not, therefore, ostensibly carried on. The 
stakes consisted of counters or checks provided by the estab- 
lishment. The gamblers settled their losses by means of 
these checks or counters, representing an understood value. 
fn this manner, it appears, the letter, if not the spirit of the' 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 375 

law was satisfied. In case of a sudden descent from the 
police, it was impossible to prove that the persons engaged 
in the games were playing for money, as no money, in fact, 
was apparent. 

" ' There is no people,' said Asmodeus, in the course of his 
explanations, ' that exhibits more respect for the law than the 
Americans ; but none understands so well how to eschew it 
when it interferes with its own interests.' 

" My companion also informed me that no one can recover 
money lost in gambling, because gambling itself is illegal. 
But debts of that nature are as secure as any other, espe- 
cially among professional gamblers, and they are seldom 
repudiated. 

" ' All those counters and checks/ said he, 'are as good as 
gold, and, in this respect, no difficulty can arise. But there 
are, in two or three adjoining rooms, games of different kinds 
conducted in private ; and the house, of course, is not respon- 
sible for the stakes. Money may be lost on parole there ; 
but the loser who will not or can not make good his promise, 
generally finds himself in a dangerous predicament. For 
though there be a few men here who came attracted either 
by curiosity or because they have nothing else to do, the 
majority are professional gamblers, whose revolvers are al- 
ways kept ready for great emergencies.' 

" Besides the table in the centre of the room, there were 
half a dozen others in remote corners, and also in adjoining 
rooms, and which, as Asmodeus had observed, were occupied 
by persons engaged in some favorite game. Around the 
large table stood an anxious crowd. There was evidently 
an exciting game in operation. Near the centre of the table 
was seated a banker or dealer, with a large quantity of checks 
at his right hand, of the denomination of five, ten, twenty 



376 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

dollars, and upward. Thirteen cards, representing a com- 
plete pack, were affixed to the table, at convenient distances 
from each other, to mark distinctly the bets placed on each. 
Those who wished to play placed the amount they intended 
to stake on any particular card on the table. The dealer 
then producing and shuffling a pack of cards, placed them in 
a box, from which he caused them to slide one by one. He 
lost w hen the card equal in points to that on which the stake 
was set turned up on his right hand ; but he won when it was 
on the left. He faithfully and gravely fulfilled his part, as 
though he were a public notary or any other officer of the 
law. Every one seemed satisfied with his dealings and de- 
cisions; for, during our stay in this 'hell,' (a name com- 
monly given in America to all gambling houses,) no excla- 
mation of any sort was made by the gamblers. 

" I took him, at first, for the proprietor of the establish- 
ment. ' You are mistaken,' said Asmodeus ; ' the host is 
that stout man whose necktie is pinned with a large diamond, 
and who is playing a game of ecarte near yonder window, with 
a constant frequenter of his house. A few years ago, he was 
one of the most renowned pugilists in the United States. 
With the profits derived from his victims in the manly art, 
he purchased a fine house, in which congregated the patrons 
and amateurs of that art, which is more in vogue to-day in 
America than in England. Shortly after, he found himself, 
perhaps unexpectedly, the manager of a faro bank. The 
game of faro is now in progress at the green table. He grad- 
ually withdrew himself from the noisy companions of his 
younger years, and soon had the gratification to behold 
bankers, brokers, merchants, and men belonging to the 
wealthy classes flock to his establishment. As his business 
rapidly increased, he purchased this handsome house, situated 



THE SECRETS OF TEE GREAT CITY. 57 7 

m one of the most fashionable streets of New York. It has 
become a favorite resort for many persons of good standing 
in society, and for 'the fancy' of New York. All transac- 
tions are above suspicion, for deception would be a dangerous 
experiment. The landlord is married, and very careful that 
everything is carried on in an orderly manner. Women are 
not admitted into the gaming-rooms, or even into the parlors 
of the house. An elegant supper is served up, every even- 
ing, to frequenters and visitors. 

" At this very moment a footman came and announced 
supper. Most of the gamblers did not heed the invitation, 
so deeply engrossed were they in the game. A few specta- 
tors, Asmodeus and myself amongst them, went down into 
the dining-room, which was, like all the others in the estab- 
lishment, handsomely furnished. Several ornamental side- 
boards were loaded with luxuries. Champagne of the best 
brands was freely passed around ; and when supper was over, 
the landlord treated his guests to the best Havana segars. I 
expected we would have to face a pretty heavy bill for this 
entertainment, and was on the point of pulling out my porte- 
monnaie, when Asmodeus whispered me to do nothing of 
the sort. ' Such a proceeding,' said he, ' would be resented 
as an outrage by the proprietor. Everybody, whether known 
to him or not, may come here, and either take part in or look 
at the game, as often as may suit his fancy, and enjoy a good 
supper besides. The proprietor hardly notices those visi- 
tors who come solely for the purpose of partaking of the 
good things served up at his suppers, and drinking his 
champagne.' " 

HOW THE VICTIMS ARE PROCURED. 

" Those who keep gambling houses," continues the writer 



378 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

from whom we have just quoted, " take care to be regularly 
informed of everything transpiring in the city that may be 
of interest to their business. You may. have noticed, loung- 
ing around the most fashionable hotels, many well-dressed 
young men, who spend their money freely, though they have 
no known means of support. They are agents for gambling- 
houses : their business is to track the footsteps of travellers 
visiting New York, for business or pleasure. They worm 
themselves into the confidence of strangers; show them 
everything worth seeing in the city ; and finally introduce 
them to their employers, the gambling-house proprietors. 
This hunting after wealthy strangers is systematically car- 
ried on — it is a science. These agents leave nothing to 
chance ; they never hurry up the conclusion of the transac- 
action. When the unwary stranger is in a fit condition for 
the sacrifice, they take him to the gaming table with as much 
indifference and coolness as butchers drive sheep to the 
slaughter house. These agents have a commission on the 
profits realized from all the customers they lead to the 
gaming table, and they display such ability that they seldom 
fail to entrap those they single out for their victims." 

It is a safe rule to suspect every one who approaches you 
with offers of friendship without being properly introduced. 
Shun all such society, for the hope of ruining you is all that 
induces the men to seek you. 

GAMING A NATIONAL PASSION. 
" There are in New York one hundred and fifty hells or 
gambling houses, all well known to the police, in which 
several millions of dollars are lost every year, by unwary 
persons. Frpm time to time, police officers make a descent 
on the most dangerous among them, or (which is too often 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 379 

the case) on those whose owners have little political influ- 
ence. Twenty -four hours after the descent has taken place, 
new gambling implements are procured in lieu of those 
taken away, and business is resumed as before. 

" Games of chance are now in vogue all over the States, 
and rapidly multiplying, because the thirst for sudden for- 
tunes is everywhere on the increase. Gambling is even 
practised on board of those splendid steamers, that ply up 
and down the rivers of the country ; and more than one pas 
senger, driven distracted by his losses at the gaming table, 
has thrown himself overboard. 

" As I have before remarked, no cheating is to be appre- 
hended here, as the percentage, taken beforehand out of the 
stakes, secures handsome profits to the proprietor of the 
house. But fraud is frequently resorted to in many hells; 
and in some of them, whether he loses or wins, the visitor is 
sure to be plundered of his valuables before he is allowed to 
depart. Blood is often shed in these places, their frequenters 
providing themselves, against emergency, with weapons of 
every description. Some gambling houses hire handsome 
females, and the allurements of these sirens are added to the 
dangers of the gaming table. New York keeps pace, in all 
these respects, with the large cities of Europe; and in many 
vnaisons de joie, unsuspecting persons run the risk, at any 
moment of the day or night, of losing their fortunes, their 
health, and their honor." 

THE GUESTS. 
"The persons who frequent gambling houses may be 
divided into two classes: occasional gamblers and profes- 
sional gamblers. Among the first may be placed those at- 
tracted by curiosity, and those strangers I have alluded to 



380 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

who are brought in by salaried intermediaries. The second 
is composed of men who gamble to retrieve their losses, or 
those who try to deceive and lull their grief through the 
exciting diversions that pervade these places. 

" I see, for instance, to the right of the dealer, a tall man, 
with a well-trimmed beard. He is a general in the United 
States army, and married a young girl belonging to one of 
our best families. A few years after his marriage his wife 
disappeared. As she seemed much attached to her husband, 
and a model of chastity, the general belief was that she had 
been the victim of some foul outrage. The friends of her 
family, and the police, made active but fruitless search for 
her; and the lady's disappearance remained enveloped in 
mystery, until she was recognized by an American traveller, 
an acquaintance, in an Italian city. It appears she had re- 
moved there, after her mysterious disappearance from her 
native land, and lived quite comfortably with a comrade-in- 
arms of her husband. The general has been unable, up to 
this day, to forget his unfaithful wife, and he comes here, 
every night, to endeavor, by gambling, to divert his mind 
from grief. 

" Near him, that man, whose fingers are loaded with showy 
rings, and who affects womanish manners, is the owner of a 
newspaper which delights in praising the aristocratic institu- 
tions of the Old World— a harmless pastime, in which and 
one can safely indulge, in a country where there is no law 
against the press, and where everybody may relieve his mind 
of any foolish idea or fancy without injury to anything 
but his reputation. Gambling is more than a passion to that 
personage— it is his very life, as necessary to him as the air 
he breathes. He has organized lotteries throughout the 
States, and though they are prohibited by severe laws, he has 



i 

; 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 381 

found the means to evade them all, and build up a large for- 
tune. He often plays very high, and recently very nearly 
broke the bank. The latter met with a loss of two hundred 
thousand dollars. 

" The gambler who is now leaving the gaming-table, is a 
teller in one of our city banks. He long enjoyed the confi- 
dence of the directors ; but, a few days ago, they decided to 
have him watched, after office hours — a measure now re- 
sorted to by many financial institutions, on account of fre- 
quent defalcations. To-morrow morning, that teller will be 
requested by the board of directors to show his books, and 
give an account of the situation and prospects of the bank. 
But, in spite of his proficiency in book-keeping, he will be 
unable to figure up and represent the seventy-five thousand 
dollars he has squandered away in gambling houses since he 
commenced, six months ago, to frequent them. 

" I also recognize at the table a lawyer, who, a few years 
ago, married a courtesan, in whom covetousness for wealth 
had become, during the last years of her life, a ruling pas- 
sion. A few weeks after their marriage, the courtesan died, 
bequeathing the lawyer all her fortune. It was surmised, 
at the time, that she had been poisoned ; and perhaps her 
husband comes here to drown his remorse. 

" That black-haired, rather corpulent man, whose visage 
is spoiled by a dishonest glance, and demeanor tarnished by 
an innate vulgarity, is a teacher of foreign languages. He 
assumes important airs, as teachers generally do : and though 
affecting, in his discourse, a Puritan austerity, few men are 
more intensely devoted to the pursuit of gain. An adven- 
turer, he had but one purpose in view when he settled in the 
United States and commenced teaching — to find an heiress. 
After a fruitless search among his young pupils of the fair 



382 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

sex, lie finally fascinated and married a spinster. Her savings 
fire nightly dwindling away at the gaming table." 

A CARD-TABLE ROMANCE. 

One of the city journals recently published the following 
account of an affair, which occurred some time since, at one 
of the best-known gaming hells of Broadway. The parties 
referred to are members of one of the wealthiest and most 
fashionable families in the city : 

" For some weeks past, one of the most fashionable Broad- 
way gambling houses had been honored with the presence 
of a dashing young man, apparently not more than nineteen 
or twenty years of age. The gentleman gave his name as 
Dick Harley, and professed to hail from New Orleans. As 
he displayed a well-filled pocketbook, he was welcomed, of 
course. 

" In play he was remarkably lucky, for a time, at least. 
This attracted additional attention, and not only made him 
an object of envy, but of jealousy. Many of the most ex- 
pert resorted to all the known arts of the game in order to 
pluck the youngster, but were themselves sold. 

" During all these visits, young Harley appeared to feel an 
especial interest in one of the visitors, who was known to 
hold a responsible position in a down-town banking house. 
This person was nearly always a loser, and his manner 
plainly told the fact that those losses greatly affected him. 
He was always uneasy, his eyes inflamed, and his hand trem- 
bling, while he wcHikl often start to his feet, and walk up and 
down the apartment, in a manner bordering on frenzy. It 
soon began to be whispered abound that the man was utterly 
ruined — that there would soon be another bank defalcation 
sensation, and perhaps a suicide. 




SCENE IN A GAMBLING SALOON, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 383 

" For some time, young Harley had made efforts to gain 
the exclusive attention of the bank officer, but had failed to 
do so. At length, however, he was successful, and the New 
Orleans buck and the ruined gamester sat down together. 

" Fortune now appeared to change. Harley had fifty 
thousand dollars in his possession, which he had won. But 
he began to lose now, and the bank officer was the winner. 
The game continued, and still Harley lost. He remained per- 
fectly calm in the mean time, while the winner became even 
more excited than while he was unfortunate. 

" At length the fifty thousand dollars changed hands, and 
the banker asked, 

" ' Shall we continue the game, sir ? 

" ' No,' replied Harley. 

" 'But you want a chance for revenge? 

" ' No, I will play no more with you. However, I would 
like to make one condition.' 

"'What is it?' 

" 'Step aside witVme, and you shall know. 

" Harley and the winner stepped a little apart, when the 
former whispered . 

" ' Sir, your manner has spoken only too plainly that your 
losses were about to involve you in trouble. Those losses 
have but just commenced; but if you continue youi play, 
they will soon be very great, and yourself and family will be 
crushed. You have won sufficient to-night to save your 
honor, have you not ?" 

" ' Thank God, yes,' was the earnest reply. 

"'Then the condition I would make is this: leave this 
place and never enter it again.' 

" ' I'll do it,' was the almost frantic response, and the banker 
turned to leave the room. 



384 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

" At the same time, those around had no idea of losing 
such an opportunity as now presented itself. That fifty thou- 
sand dollars must again change hands. One of the men 
present advanced, and, laying his hands upon the shoulder 
of Harley, said : 

" ' Look you, youngster, you are going a little too far. 
You have won from us largely.' 

" ' Aye, and lost again,' was the calm reply. 

" ' So have we; and you must not stand in the way of our 
making good that loss.' 

" 'How can I possibly do so?' 

" ' By persuading the winner of your money to play no 
more.' 

" ' Have I not a right to do it V 

" ' No.' 

" ' Then I shall assume that right.' 

"As Harley said this he caught the bank officer by the 
arm, and led him toward the door. But the little fellow was 
instantly seized, and hurled to the opposite side of the room, 
where he fell with considerable violence. 

"Instantly he sprang to his feet, while his eyes flashed fire. 
At the same time he drew a revolver, and exclaimed : 

" ' Stand from that door, or there will be blood shed here.' 

" On occasions of this kind, revolver generally answers 
revolver. It was so on this occasion ; and Harley received 
two shots, which sent him reeling upon the carpet. A 
crimson spot appeared near his temple, and he clutched his 
breast with his hands. 

" Of course, there were those present who did not like the 
idea of murder, and such sprang forward to the aid of the 
wounded lad. A black wig fell from his head, and then long 
golden locks were exposed to view. The vest was opened, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 385 

and the bosom palpitating beneath the spotless linen was 
that of a woman. 

" The surprise of all was very great, and none more so 
than that of the young bank officer, when he discovered in 
Dick Harley no other than his own sister. She had learned 
of the gaming, and had followed him in order to save him 
from ruin. She had succeeded, for no person now attempted 
to molest her. The wound upon the head was but slight, 
although it stunned her for a few moments. 

" She left the house with her brother, and it is not likely 
that either of them will ever enter it again." 

SECOND-CLASS HOUSES. 

There are many establishments of this description In the 
city. They are neither so elegantly furnished nor so exclu- 
sive as to their guests as the first-class houses. There is also 
another important difference. In a first-class house, the 
visitor is sure to meet men who will deal fairly with him ; 
and if he loses, as he is almost sure to do, it is because he is 
playing against more expert hands than himself. This is 
what is called a " square game." Everything is open and 
fair, and the bank relies on the fickleness of the cards and 
the superior skill of its dealer. In the second-class houses, 
however, the visitor is literally fleeced. Every advantage 
is taken of him, and it is morally certain that he will lose 
every cent he risks. In first- class houses, one can play or 
look on, as he pleases. In second-class houses, the visitor 
who declines to risk something is in danger of personal vio- 
lence. He will be insulted by the proprietor or one of his 
myrmidons ; and if he resents the insult, his life hangs by a 
very slender thread. The " runner " system is practiced very 
extensively in connection with these houses. The visitor is 
24 



386 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

plied with liquor unceasingly during his stay in the rooms, 
and the losses of the unfortunate man during this period of 
semi -unconsciousness are frightful. 

Many persons coming to the city yield to the temptation to 
visit these places, merely to see them. They intend to lose 
only a dollar or two as the price of the exhibition. Such 
men voluntarily seek the danger which threatens them. 
Nine out of ten who go there merely through curiosity, lose 
all their money. The men who conduct the " hell " under- 
stand how to deal with such cases, and are rarely unsuccessful. 

It is in these places that clerks and other young men are 
ruined. They lose, and play again, hoping to make good 
their losses. In this way they squander their own means ; 
and too frequently commence to steal from their employers, 
in the vain hope of regaining all they have lost. 

There is only one means of safety for all classes — Keep 
away from the gaming table altogether. 

DAY GAMBLING HOUSES. 

At first gambling was carried on only at night. The 
fascination of the game, however, has now become so great, 
that day gambling houses have been opened in the lower part 
of the city. These are located in Broadway, below Fulton 
street, and in one or two other streets within the immediate 
neighborhood of Wall street. 

These " houses," as they are called, are really nothing more 
than rooms. They are located on the top floor of a building, 
the rest of which is taken up with stores, offices, etc. They 
are managed on a plan similar to the night gambling houses, 
and the windows are all carefully closed with wooden shutters, 
to prevent any sound being heard without. The rooms are 
mtly furnished, brilliantly lighted with gas, and liquors 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 387 

and refreshments are in abundance. As the stairway is 
thronged with persons passing up and down, at all hours of 
the day, no one is noticed in entering the building for the 
purpose of play. The establishment has its " runners " and 
" ropers in," like the night houses, who are paid a percentage 
on the winnings from their victims, and the proprietor of the 
day-house is generally the owner of a night-house higher up 
town. 

Square games are rarely played in these houses. The 
victim is generally fleeced. Men who gamble in stocks, curb- 
stone brokers, and others, vainly endeavor to make good a 
part of their losses at these places. They are simply unsuc- 
cessful. Clerks, office-boys, and others, who can spend ^ut 
a few minutes and lose only a few dollars at a time, are con- 
stantly seen in these hells. The aggregate of these slight 
winnings by the bank is very great in the course of the day. 
Pickpockets and thieves are also seen here in considerable 
numbers. They do not come to practice their arts, for they 
would be shown no mercy if they should do so, but come to 
gamble away their plunder, or its proceeds. 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

KIT BURNS'S. 

Having given the reader a description of the " Wickedest 
Man in New York," we must now introduce him to Mr. 
Christopher Burns, or, as he is familiarly called, Kit Burns, 
the compeer of the noted John Allen. 

In walking through Water street, you will notice a plain 
brick building, rather neater in appearance than those sur* 
rounding it. The lower part is painted green, and there is a 
small gas lamp before the door. The number, 273, is very 
conspicuous, and you will also notice the words over the door, 
rather the worse for exposure to the weather, " Kit Burns" 
"Sportsman's Hall." 

The ostensible business of Kit Burns, is that of a tavern 
keeper, and it is said that his house is well kept fur one of its 
class. The bar does a thriving business, and is well stocked 
with the kind of liquor used in Water street. 

Attached to the tavern, however, are the prinicpal attrac 
tions of the place to those who frequent it. These are the 
rat and dog pits. 

THE EAT PIT. 

Eats are plentiful along the East River, and Burns has no 
difficulty in procuring as many as he desires. These and his 
dogs furnish the entertainment, in which he delights. The 
principal room of the house is arranged as an amphitheatre 
The seats are rough wooden benches, and in the centre is a 
388 




A DOG FIGHT AT KIT BERN'S. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 389 

ring or pit, enclosed by a circular wooden fence, several feet 
high. A number of rats are turned into this pit, and a dog 
of the best ferret stock is thrown in amongst them. The little 
creature at once falls to work to kill the rats, bets being made 
that she will destroy so many rats in a given time. The 
time is generally " made " by the little animal, who is well 
known to, and a great favorite with, the yelling blasphemous 
wretches who line the benches. The performance is greeted 
with shouts, oaths, and other frantic demonstrations of delight. 
Some of the men will catch up the dog in their arms, and 
press it to their bosom in a frenzy of joy, or kiss it as if it 
were a human being, unmindful or careless of the fact that 
all this while the animal is smeared with the blood of its 
victims. The scene is disgusting beyond description. 

THE DOG FIGHTS. 

Kit Burns is very proud of his dogs, and his cellar con 
tains a collection of the fiercest and most frightfully hideous 
animals to be found in America. They are very docile with 
their owner, and seem really fond of him. They are well fed 
and carefully tended, for they are a source of great profit to 
their owner. 

Notice is given that at such a time there will be a dog fight 
at "Sportsman's Hall," and when that time arrives the roughs 
and bullies of the neighborhood crowd the benches of the 
amphitheatre. A more brutal, villainous-looking set it would 
be hard to find. They are more inhuman in appearance than 
the dogs. 

Two huge bull-dogs, whose keepers can hardly restrain 
them, are placed in the pit, and the keeper or backer of each 
dog crouches in his place, one on the right hand, the other 
on the left, and the dogs in the middle. At a given signal, 



300 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

the animals are released, and the next moment the combat 
begins. . It is simply sickening. Most of our readers have 
witnessed a dog fight in the streets. Let them imagine the 
animals surrounded by a crowd of brutal wretches whose 
conduct stamps them as beneath the struggling beasts, and 
they will have a fair idea of the scene at Kit Burns's. 

THE REVIVAL AT KIT BURNS'S. 

During the summer of 1868, while the Water street revi- 
val was going on at John Allen's, the parties conducting the 
movement endeavored to induce Kit Burns to join them. 
He refused all their offers, and at last they hired his rat pit 
at a high price, for. the purpose of using it for religious 
services for one hour in each day. This was done, and the 
meetings held therein were sadly disgraceful to the cause of 
Christianity. We take the following account of one of these 
meetings from the New York World, our apology for in- 
truding it, being our desire to present a truthful picture. 

" The Water street prayer-meetings are still continued. 
Yesterday at noon a large crowd assembled in Kit Burns's 
liquor shop, very few of whom were roughs. The majority 
seemed to be business men and clerks, who stopped in to see 
what was going on, in a casual manner. In a few minutes 
after twelve o'clock the pit was filled up very comfortably, 
and Mr. Van Meter made his appearance and took up a posi- 
tion where he could address the crowd from the centre of the 
pit, inside the barriers. The roughs and dry goods clerks 
piled themselves up as high as the roof, tier after tier, and a 
sickening odor came from the dogs and debris of rats' bones 
under the seats. 

" Kit stood outside, oursing and damning, the eyes of the 
missionaries for not hurrying up. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 391 

lt Kit said, ' I'm d d if some of the people that come here 

oughtn't to be clubbed. A fellow 'u'd think that they had 

niver seen a dog-pit afore. I must be d d good-looking 

to have so many fellows looking at me.' 

" Inside, the exhortations were kept up to fever heat. In 
a little gallery above the pit, not more than four feet from 
the dirty ceiling, there were half a dozen faded and antiquated 
women, who kept chorus to the music of the Heavenly 
Jerusalem, as follows: 

" ' To God, the mighty Lord 
Your joyful thanks repeat ; 
To him due praise afford, 
As good as he is great. 

For God does prove 

Our constant friend; 
His boundless love 
Shall never end-a-a-h.' 

" ' That's what I call singing the bloody gospil. The maia 
that wrote that ballad was no slouch,' cried out George Leese, 
alias ' Snatchem,' one of the worst scoundrels in New York, 
who is now in the saving path of grace. As a beastly, obscene 
ruffian, ' Snatchem' never had his equal in America, according 
to his own account. The writer has seen this fellow at prize 
fights, with a couple of revolvers in his belt, engaged in the 
disgusting office of sucking blood from the wild beasts who 
had ceased to pummel each other for a few seconds. This 
man, with his bulging, bulbous, watery-blue eyes, bloated 
red face, and coarse swaggering gait, has been notorious for 
years in New York. The police are well acquainted with 
him, and he is proud of his notoriety. 

" ' Snatchem ' asked our reporter if he ever saw such ' a- 
rough and-tumble-stand-up-to-be knocked-down son of a gun 
as he in his life.' 



392 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

" ' Did you ever see such a kicking-in-tke-head-knife-in-a 
dark-room fellow as I am, eli ?' 

" Our reporter meekly answered ' no.' 

" I want a quarter-stretch ticket to go to glory, I do. I 
can go in harness preaching the bloody gospil against any 
minister in New York. I know all Watts' Hymns and 
Fistiana, and I'd like to be an angel and bite Gabriel's ear off.' 

" A man got upon one of the benches in the pit and com- 
menced to preach in a frenzy to the crowd. He related his 
experience as a gambler at several gambling houses in Ann 
street and on Broadway. He told very affecting stories about 
young men who bought stacks of chips and were afterwards 
reduced to their bottom dollar and misery. 

" The minister asked ' if any one present was in need of his 
prayer, or of water from the Jordan to wash out Lis sins, to 
let him hold up his hand.' 

" George Leese did so. ' He wanted all the water he could 
get from the Jordan or any other river.' 

" A man who announced that his name was Sam Irving, 
and had been a great scoundrel and dog-fighter, said he used 
to go to Harry Jenning's ; to Butler's, in Ninth Avenue ; to 
McLaughlin's, in First Avenue; and to Kit Burns's, to see dogs 
fight and snarl at each other ; he went to Ireland once to 
bring over a fighting-dog ; the man who gave him that dog 
came to a terrible end by his own hand. The speaker had 
been reared in sin and shame ; he had known the life of the 
streets; but now Jesus had grabbed him where he lived, and 
he was going to do better. He wanted every one to take 
warning by him. They could get Christ as well as him. 
The prayer-meeting ended by the singing of the Doxology." 



CHAPTER XLV. 

SAILOBS' BOARDING HOUSES. 

In walking along the streets in the vicinity of the water, 
you will notice many buildings with the sign " Sailors' 
Boarding Ilouse." One would suppose that poor Jack needed 
a snug resting place after his long and stormy voyages, but 
it is about the last thing he finds in New York. The houses 
for his accommodation are low, filthy, vile places, where 
every effort is made to swindle him out of his money ; the 
proprietors are merciless sharks, and they keep the sailors 
who come to this port in a state of the most abject slaveiy. 

A ship comes in from a long voyage. Her men aie dis- 
charged and paid off. The runners for the boarding houses 
lie in wait for them, and, as soon as they get their money, 
take them to the establishments which prove so fatal to 
the 11. There they are made drunk, robbed of their money 
and valuables, and of all their good clothing, and brought in 
debt to their landlord. A captain in want of a crew applies 
to one of these landlords for men. In order to secure them, 
he has to advance a part of their wages, which the landlord 
claims for debts which Jack never contracted. The men are 
made drunk, and in this state they sign the shipping articles, 
and are sent to sea. When they recover their senses, they 
are on the blue water, and prefer their present condition to 
being at the mercy of the landlords. In this way, it fre- 
quently happens that poor Jack never gets the benefit of a 
single penny of his hard earnings. 

393 



394 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Efforts have been made by conscientious shipowners to 
put a stop to the outrages of the landlords, but each one has 
failed. The wretches have banded together, and have pre- 
vented sailors from shipping, and in the end the ship owners 
have been compelled to abandon the sailor to the mercy of 
his tyrants. Only a law of Congress, regulating sailors' 
boarding houses, according to the system now in use in 
England, will remedy the evil. 

Hon. W. F. Gr. Shanks, who has given much time and 
research to this matter, in a. recent communication to a city 
journal, thus sums up his experience and discoveries : 

" Among the things which I learned and the points on 
which I satisfied myself thoroughly, I may mention, as of 
possible interest to the public, the following : 

" 1. I have carefully calculated that not less than one 
thousand destitute women, and five hundred men, are sup- 
ported by the one hundred and seventy boarding-houses and 
thirty shipping offices in New York. ' 

" 2. At least fifteen thousand sailors of all nations are an- 
nually robbed, by these people, of not less than two millions 
of dollars. I name this amount to be within bounds ; I be- 
lieve it to be at least half as much more. 

"3. Only two of these houses have a legal existence; all 
the rest are kept open in defiance of a State law, enacted in 
1866, 'for the better protection of the seamen,' whom these 
landsharks prey upon. A grand jury was obtained which 
indicted the delinquents, who refused to take out a license 
according to this law, but the State Commissioners have in 
vain urged the City attorney to prosecute the offenders. 

"4. The landlords laugh at the authority of the State 
Commissioners for licensing boarding houses for seamen, of 
which Mr. E. W. Chester is President, and rely on the license 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 395 

to vend liquor issued by the Police Board, of which Mr. 
Acton is President, as their ample protection. 

" 5. The landlords have congregated mainly in the Fourth 
and Sixth Wards of the city, in order to influence, if not 
control them politically. The combination existing between 
boarding-house keepers and shipping-masters enables them to 
cast, in any election in the City, at least one thousand votes, 
and probably more. 

" 6. Much of the smuggling in this port is done by the 
runners of these houses. 

" 7. Numbers of criminals flying from justice are aided to 
get to sea by these men ; and during the war hundreds of 
deserters from the army, who had never been out of sight of 
land, and knew nothing of an ordinary seaman's duty, were 
shipped by them as good seamen. 

" 8. No inquiry is made by owners, captains, or shipping 
agents, into the moral character or seamanship of the men 
employed by these agents. 

" 9. Seamen are allowed to ship only when penniless, and 
often without sufficient clothing to protect them irorn the in- 
clement weather. 

" 10. They are discharged from ships without the wages 
due them, and have no alternative but to go to the men whom 
they know will rob them ; and the United States laws author- 
ize the owners of vessels to deny them their pay until ten 
days after the cargo is discharged — much longer than the 
owners usually withhold it. It is these laws which throw 
the sailor under the control of the ' land sharks.' 

" 11. Foreign sailors are induced to desert their ships and 
go in other vessels by landlords who aim to rob them of the 
advance pay which custom exacts. The sailors thus not only 
lose by desertion the pay due them by the ship they abandon, 



396 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

as well as the advance which, they get from their new com- , 
mander, but also forfeit their nationality and the protection 
of their former flag. 

" 12. Foreign' captains frequently force their men to desert 
them, in order to save their keep and back pay. This they 
accomplish either by bad treatment of the men or collusion 
with the landlords. 

" 13. Large ships are often detained in port, after having 
their cargo on board, because of the refusal of landlords to 
allow the seamen to ship while their money lasts. 

" 14. The owners submit to this indirect control of their 
great interests for fear of giving offence to the men who fur- 
nish and control the crews. The United States has not a 
law which would protect owners in an effort to change the 
system of shipping seamen, improving their condition, or 
protecting them in their rights, or in increasing the number 
and the utility of seamen. 

" 15. There is not a single training or school ship in this 
port, although Boston boasts two in successful operation. 
The United States laws do not require, as they should, that 
every ship leaving an American port, under the United States 
flag, should carry its complement of apprentices. Neither of 
these practical means of building up the merchant marine 
service is generally adopted in the United States, though 
the experience of England, and other great maritime powers, 
has shown the benefit and the necessity of both systems. 

" 16. Generally speaking, the very worst enemies of the 
sailor in all ports are the consuls who are sent to protect 
them. Practically, they are the aiders and abettors of land- 
lords. There may be exceptional cases, but I cannot venture 
to name them. A special investigation of consulate abuses 
would reveal the sailor as the most frequent victim. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY, 397 

" I could mention other important points, if space per- 
mitted. To be brief, I have seen that the sailor is without ' 
protection from Government laws, Government agents, or the 
owners whose interest he serves. He is systematically 
robbed, imprisoned and sold into the hardest of servitude, as 
openly as negroes were sold a few years ago in the South. 
If he complains of the robbery, judges, who hold their posi- 
tions by the favor of the landlords who commit the robbery, 
release the culprit on bail, and send the sailor to the House 
of Detention as a witness, where he is forgotten, or finally 
turned penniless into the street, to wander back to the man 
who robbed him, to beg for assistance and work. If he re- 
fuses to ship as landlords direct, he is forcibly put on board 
by legal process, or through the agency of the whiskey bottle, 
and in either case is sent penniless and almost naked to sea. 
They never complain of the terms of sale. After Jack has 
been on a packet ship for two months, he is glad to escape, 
by any means, to the ills of the boarding houses, and after ( 
enduring that slavery for a fortnight, he is only too glad to 
rush back to the hardships of the ocean life he lately thought 
so terrible. His life is one desperate effort to escape the ills 
he has and fly to others that he knows well enough. The 
sailor has no respect for Hamlet's philosophy." 



CHAPTER XLVL 

THE CHURCHES AND THE CLERGY. 

The churches of New York are models of architectural 
beauty. Trinity, Grace, ■ the Temple Emanuel, and the 
new Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, are the handsomest religious 
edifices in America. Catholics and Episcopalians no longer 
have all the magnificent churches, for the other denomina- 
tions are following hard in their footsteps. 

Nearly all the churches of the city are above Fourth 
street, and in some localities they crowd each other too 
greatly. A few are very wealthy and are well supported, 
but the majority are poor and struggling. Pew-rent is very 
high in New York, and only those who are well off can 
afford to have seats in a thriving church. Besides this, 
people seem to care little for churches in New York. There 
are thousands of respectable people in the great city who 
never see the inside of a church, unless some special attrac- 
tion draws them there. The entire support of the churches, 
therefore, falls on a few. 

The fashionable churches, with the exception of Grace 
Church, are now located high up town. They are large and 
handsome, and the congregations are wealthy and exclusive. 
Forms are rigidly insisted upon, and the reputation of the 
church for exclusiveness is so well known that those in the 
humbler walks of life never dream of entering its doors. 
They feel they would be unwelcomed, that nine tenths of the 
398 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 399 

congregation would consider them unfit to address their 
prayers to the Great White Throne from so exclusive a 
place. The widow's mite would cause the warden's face to 
glimmer with a well-bred smile of contemptuous amazement, 
if laid in the midst of the crisp bank bills of the collection ; 
and Lazarus would lay a long time at the doors of these 
churches, unless the police should remove him. 

Kiohes and magnificence are seen on every side. The 
music is divine, the service is performed to perfection, and 
the minister satisfies his flock that they are all in the " narrow 
way," which his Master once declared to be so difficult to the 
feet of the rich man. But that was eighteen hundred years 
ago, and things have changed since then. 

SAINT Alban's. 

St. Alban's Episcopal Chapel, in Forty-seventh street, near 
Lexington Avenue, has of late attracted much attention as 
being the most advanced in the ritualistic character of its ser- 
vices. A writer in Putnam's Magazine, thus describes the 
manner in which the service is " celebrated " in this Chapel. 

" One bright Sunday morning, not long ago, I visited the 
' Church of St. Alban.' It is situated in Forty-seventh street, 
near Lexington Avenue, quite beyond the business portion of 
the city, and is rather a plain-looking brick building, with a 
peaked roof, low, stained glass windows, and a bell on the 
gable in front, surmounted by a cross. I arrived some little 
time before the commencement of the services, and had an 
opportunity to look about a little, and note the interior 
arrangements. I found the church to be capable of holding 
about two hundred and fifty worshippers, with plain wooden 
benches for seats on each side of a central aisle, and every 
bench having an announcement posted upon it, as follows* 



400 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CTT1. 

"'The seats of this church are all free, on the following 
conditions, a compliance with which is an obligation binding 
on each person occupying a sitting : 

"'I. To behave as in the presence of Almighty God. 

" ' II. Not to leave the church during service ; remaining 
until the clergy and choristers have retired. 

" ' III. That each worshipper shall contribute, according 
to his ability, to the collections, which are the only means of 
supporting the church. The poor can give little, and are 
always welcome ; but those who are able to give should 
not be willing to occupy seats (which might be availed 
of by others), without contributing their just share to the 
expenses.' 

" The pulpit, which is elevated only three or four steps, 
stands on the left-hand of the congregation, close to and in 
front of the vestry-room door or passage. The stalls adjoin 
the organ in a recess on the vestry-room side, with others 
facing them on the opposite side for antiphonal chanting or 
singing. The lectern, or stand on which the Bible is placed, 
for reading the lessons, is on the right side opposite the 
pulpit. There is no reading-desk for other parts of the ser- 
vice, as in most of the Episcopal churches. 

"The arrangements of the chancel occupy considerable 
space for a building no larger than this, and everything is 
very elaborate and ornamental. It is elevated by several 
steps, and inside the rails is still further raised, so as to bring 
the communion-table, or altar, prominently into view. This 
altar is very large, built against the rear wall of the church, 
with a super-altar, having a tall gilded cross in its centre. 
The decorations on the wall, and about the chancel-window, 
are of the most approved pattern, drawn from the highest 
authorities in ritualism and church decoration. These words, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 401 

in beautiful old English letter, crown, as it were, the altar in 
St. Alban's : ' He that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.' 
(John vi. 57.) 

" On either side of the large gilded cross, on the super- 
altar, is a lofty candlestick, with a candle in it, about seven 
feet high, or perhaps more. Four other candlesticks, not 
quite so tall, and four others, less lofty than these, again, are 
on each side of the altar by the wall ; and, standing in the 
chancel, some little distance from the wall, on the right and 
left hand, are candelabras, with branches, holding some 
twenty candles each. None of these were lighted when I 
entered. Soon after, the bell having stopped ringing, the 
organ began a voluntary, on a low note, introductory to the 
opening of the service. 

" Presently, the introcessional hymn was begun, and then, 
emerging from the vestry-room door or passage, the first 
thing visible was a large wooden cross, which had to be 
lowered to get it through the passage, and which, when ele- 
vated, reached some six feet above the head of the small boy 
who carried it, and was, of course, in full view of the con- 
gregation. This boy, and others following, had on white 
robes, or surplices. Two of the boys carried banners, with 
devices, and all, with a number of adult choristers, advanced 
slowly towards the chancel, singing the introcessional. Last 
of all came the three officiating priests, or ministers, with 
purple-velvet, crown-shaped caps on their heads, and white 
garments, made like sacks, and ornamented with various 
colors and symbols. Profound obeisances were made towards 
the altar ; the hymn was ended ; the choristers took their 
places; and one of the priests, on arriving in front of the 
chancel-rail, began the intoning of the Litany. Morning 
Prayer had been said at an earlier hour. 



402 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

" The Litany was said as in the Episcopal Prayer Book, 
directly after which, notice was given that there would be a 
meeting of ' The Sodality of — exactly what and whom I did 
not catch at the time. The priests then retired for a space, 
during which the two candles on the altar, and the branch 
candles on each side in the chancel, were lighted by a boy 
having a long stick, or pole, with a light on the end for the 
purpose. This boy passed half a dozen or more times in 
front of the altar, and every time made, or attempted to 
make, an obeisance — but it was not with any great success. 
The frequent repetition seemed to reduce it to little more 
than the ' fashionable nod.' 

" The introit was one of the psalms of the Psalter. While 
it was being chanted, the priests returned, and with lowly 
bowings, even to the knee, passed within the chancel and ad- 
vanced to the front of the altar. The Ante-Communion was 
then said, the Epistle and Gospel being read by different 
persons. After which, notice was given of the communion, 
and 'a high celebration,' to occur during the week. The 
people stood up, and remained standing, while one of the 
priests left the chancel, proceeded to the pulpit, and, after 
crossing himself, said, 'In the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.' 

"The congregation being seated again, a discourse fol- 
lowed, about twenty minutes long, earnest in tone and man- 
ner, and with much good exhortation in it. Some of the 
preacher's figures were rather startling, especially when 
speaking of the Lord's Supper. He told his hearers of 
'the bleeding hands of the Almighty,' offering them Christ's 
flesh to eat, and Christ's blood to drink. The homily ended 
with the priest's turning to the altar, and saying, ' Glory be 
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.' He 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 403 

then went back to the chancel, where the others had been 
sitting, caps on, to listen to the discourse. 

" The plates were next passed around, and the alms, being 
collected, were placed on the altar. Then, from a side-table 
on the right, the two boys on duty in the chancel handed to 
the priest the vessels containing the bread and wine, which 
were placed on the altar. The remaining candles were then 
lighted. After this, the communion service proceeded ; and 
when the officiating priest faced the congregation, to say the 
exhortation, etc., one of the others, a step below him, held 
the book open for him to read from — thus serving, as it 
were, for a reading-stand. Wherever possible, the priests 
studiously preserved a position with their backs to the con- 
gregation. In the part of the communion service where the 
bread and wine are consecrated, the officiating priest said the 
words in silence. In like manner, when he partook of the 
sacrament himself, it was done in entire silence, with cross- 
ings, and the lowliest of kneeling, and postures of adoration. 
Without professing to be at all learned in the meaning of 
the rubrics in ihe Prayer Book, I venture to think the lan- 
guage in regard to this part of the service to be plain enough, 
and to require that the officiating minister shall say it all 
openly, and in the presence of the people, so that they can 
see or witness what is done by him, on every such solemn 
occasion. But, at St. Alban's, the priests had their faces to 
the altar, and backs to the congregation, and thus it was 
hardly possible to see anything, and be sine of what was 
done or left undone. 

"A large portion of the congregation now went forward to 
the chancel-rails, along, or on top of which, were napkins,. 
or cloths, placed so as to prevent a single crumb, or a single 
drop, falling to the floor. While the people were engaged 



404 THE SECRETS OF TUE GREAT CITY. 

in kneeling at the rails, the priests remained standing, and 
holding aloft the paten and chalice, with their contents, for 
reverent and profound admiration. The administration of 
the sacrament was as is usual in the Episcopal Church, save 
that the first part of the words ('The body of our Lord 
Jesus Christ,' 'The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ'), was 
said when the bread or wine was given to each communi- 
cant, and the latter ('Take and eat this,' 'drink this,') was 
said to three or four together. The cup, too, was retained in 
the hands of the priest, and not 'delivered' into the hands 
of the communicant. 

" When all had gone forward who wished to partake of 
the Lord's Supper, the vessels were replaced on the altar and 
carefully covered, the concluding prayers were intoned, the 
Gloria in Excebis was chanted, and the parting blessing was 
given. After a few moments, the whole congregation stood 
up, and remained standing, while the priests, having received 
water from the boys, with napkins, carefully cleansed and 
wiped the vessels, giving them to the boys to place on the 
side-table. The little fellow took up the big cross again, the 
others gathered in line, with the older choristers, and slowly 
moving, with music, to the passage at the side, the priests 
finally disappeared in the vestry. 

" The service, on this occasion, occupied exactly two 
hours ; after which, the people were allowed to go their 
way, and profit by what they had seen and heard." 

THE CLERGY. 

Talent, backed by experience and industry, will succeed in 
the long run in New York, but talent is not essential to suc- 
cess here. We have often wondered what does make the 
success of some men in this city. They have done well, and 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 405 

they have no merit as pulpit orators. In other cities a good 
pastor need not of necessity be a good preacher. lie may 
endear himself to his congregation in a thousand ways, and 
they may make his other good qualities atone for his oratori- 
cal deficiencies. In New York, however, pastoral duties are 
almost entirely confined to the ministrations in the church. 
The city is so immense, the flock so widely scattered, that few 
clergymen can visit all their people. The result is, that pas- 
toral visiting is but little practiced here. The clergyman is 
generally " at home," to all who choose to call, on a cer- 
tain evening in each week. A few civil words pass be- 
tween the shepherd and the sheep, but that is all. The mass 
of the people of this city are neglected by the clergy. Pos- 
sibly the people are at fault. Indeed this is not only possible, 
but probable, for New York shows little regard for the 
Sabbath and the Gospel. 

A man of real talent will always, if he has a church con- 
veniently and fashionably located, draw a large congregation 
to hear him ; but the location and the prestige of the church 
often do more than the minister, for some of our poor churches 
have men of genius in their pulpits, while some of the 
wealthiest and most fashionable are called on every Sunday 
to listen to the merest platitudes. 

Let us not be misunderstood. There are able men in the 
New York pulpits. We have Vinton, Chapin, Frothingham, 
Adams, Osgood, and many others, but we have some weak- 
headed brethren also. 

A few clergymen get rich in this city, ine wealthy members 
of their flocks no doubt aiding them. Some marry fortunes. 
As a general rule, however, they have no chance of saving 
any money. Salaries are large here, but expenses are heavy, 
and it requires a large income to live respectably. A minis- 



408 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

of the commerce of this great country, and the Metropolis 
itself lies almost at his feet. 

Admission to the cemetery can be obtained during any 
week-day, by means of tickets, which may be procured from 
any undertaker. On Sunday the grounds are opened only to 
the proprietors, their families, or those who come with them. 

THE EVERGREENS. 

Four or five miles east of Brooklyn is the cemetery of the 
Evergreens. It is very beautiful, but does not compare with 
Greenwood, in either its natural or artificial attractions. 

CYPRESS HILLS. 

These grounds lie near the Evergreens, and are very hand- 
some. Great care has been bestowed upon them, and they 
are amongst the most attractive in the neighborhood of the 
city. 

WOODLAWN. 

This cemetery is only a few years old. It is in West- 
chester county, immediately on the Harlem railway. It is 
about seven miles from the city, and several trains stop at 
the main entrance during the day. The company also run 
funeral trains when desired, The main avenue, or boulevard, 
from the Central Park to AVhite Plains, will run through these 
grounds; and in a few years, when the upper part of the 
island is more thickly settled, Woodlawn will be one of the 
principal cemeteries of the city. In ten years more it will 
rival Greenwood 



CHAPTER XL VIII. 

THE BAR. 

Therk are three thousand lawyers practicing at the New 
York bar. A few of these have large incomes, two or three 
making an much as fifty thousand dollars per annum ; but 
the average income of the majority is limited. An income 
of ten or fifteen thousand dollars is considered large in the 
profession, and the number of those earning such a sum is 
small. 

In most cities the members of the legal profession form a 
clique, and are very clannish. Each one knows everybody 
else, and if one member of the bar is assailed, the rest are 
prompt to defend him. In New York, however, there is no 
such thing as a legal " fraternity." Each man is wrapped in 
his own affairs, and knows little and cares less about other 
members of the profession. We have been surprised to find 
how little these men know about each other. Some have 
never even heard of others who are really prosperous and 
talented. 

The courts of the city are very numerous ; and each man, 
in entering upon his practice, makes a specialty of some one 
or more of them, and confines himself to them. His chances 
of success are better for doing this, than they would be by 
adopting a general practice. Indeed, it would be simply im- 
possible for one man to practice in all. 

Many of the best lawyers rarely go into the courts. They 
prefer chamber practice, and will not try a case in court if 

409 



408 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

of the commerce of this great country, and the Metropolis 
itself lies almost at his feet. 

Admission to the cemetery can be obtained during any 
week-day, by means of tickets, which may be procured from 
any undertaker. On Sunday the grounds are opened only to 
the proprietors, their families, or those who come with them. 

THE EVERGREENS. 

Four or five miles east of Brooklyn is the cemetery of the 
Evergreens. It is very beautiful, but does not compare with 
Greenwood, in either its natural or artificial attractions. 

CYPRESS HILLS. 

These grounds lie near the Evergreens, and are very hand- 
some. Great care has been bestowed upon them, and they 
are amongst the most attractive in the neighborhood of the 
city. 

WOODLAWN. 

This cemetery is only a few years old. It is in West- 
chester county, immediately on the Harlem railway. It is 
about seven miles from the city, and several trains stop at 
the main entrance during the day. The company also run 
funeral trains when desired. The main avenue, or boulevard, 
from the Central Park to White Plains, will run through these 
grounds; and in a few years, when the upper part of the 
island is more thickly settled, Woodlawn will be one of the 
principal cemeteries of the city. In ten years more it will 
rival Greenwood 



CHAPTER XL VIII. 

THE BAR. 

Therk are three thousand lawyers practicing at the New 
York bar. A few of these have large incomes, two or three 
making &a much as fifty thousand dollars per annum; but 
the average income of the majority is limited. An income 
of ten or fifteen thousand dollars is considered large in the 
profession, and the number of those earning such a sum is 
small. 

In most cities the members of the legal profession form a 
clique, and are very clannish. Each one knows everybody 
else, and if one member of the bar is assailed, the rest are 
prompt to defend him. In New York, however, there is no 
such thing as a legal "fraternity." Each man is wrapped in 
his own affairs, and knows little and cares less about other 
members of the profession. We have been surprised to find 
how little these men know about each other. Some have 
never even heard of others who are really prosperous and 
talented. 

The courts of the city are very numerous ; and each man, 
in entering upon his practice, makes a specialty of some one 
or more of them, and confines himself to them. His chances 
of success are better for doing this, than they would be by 
adopting a general practice. Indeed, it would be simply im- 
possible for one man to practice in all. 

Many of the best lawyers rarely go into the courts. They 
prefer chamber practice, and will not try a case in court if 

409 



410 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

they can help it. The process in the courts is slow and 
vexatious, and consumes too much of their time. Their 
chamber practice is profitable to them, and beneficial to the 
community, as it prevents much tedious litigation. 

Many lawyers with fair prospects and comfortable incomes, 
who are succeeding in their profession in other places, come 
to New York, expecting to rise to fame and fortune more 
rapidly here. They are mistaken. The most accomplished 
city barrister finds success a slow and uncertain thing. It 
takes some unusually fortunate circumstance to introduce 
a new lawyer favorably to a New York public. 

The profession in this city can boast of some eminent names 
in its list of members, amongst which are those of Charles 
O'Conor, William M. Evarts, the present Attorney-General 
of the United States, James F. Brady, David Dudley Field, 
and William J. A. Fuller. These, or any of them, are men 
of the first ability in their profession, and are amongst the 
most honored citizens of the metropolis. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

THE METROPOLITAN FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Previous to the year 1865, New York suffered from all 
tlie evils of a volunteer fire department. It had three thou- 
sand eight hundred and ten firemen, with a proper force of 
engines. The various companies were jealous of each other, 
and there was scarcely a fire at which this jealousy did not 
lead to blows. Frequently the fire would be left to burn 
while the rival companies adjusted their difficulties. The 
firemen seemed to take a delight in the most disgraceful and 
lawless acts, and were more of an annoyance than a benefit 
to the city. 

THE NEW SYSTEM. 

The bill for the organization of a Metropolitan Department 
become a law, by the action of the Legislature, in March, 
1365. As the inauguration of the new system would be the 
downfall of the old, the friends of the latter resolved to resist 
it. A case was brought before the Court of Appeals, in- 
volving the constitutionality of the bill, and the law was 
sustained. Measures were set on foot to get the new system 
to work as soon as possible, but, in the meantime, the leaders 
of the opposition to it endeavored to be revenged, by dis- 
banding the old force, and leaving the city without any 
means of extinguishing fires. The danger was averted, how- 
ever, by promptly detailing a force from the police to act as 
firemen in case of necessity. By November, 1865, the new 
system was thoroughly organized, and fairly at work. 

411 



412 TIIE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

THE FORCE. 

The department is under the charge of five commissioners, 
appointed by the Governor. They make rules and regula- 
tions by which the force is governed, exercise a general 
supervision over its affairs, and are responsible to the Legis- 
lature for their acts. There is a chief engineer, an assistant 
engineer, and ten district engineers. There are thirty-four 
steam engines, four hand engines, and twelve hook-and-ladder 
companies in the department, the hand engines being located 
in the extreme upper part of the island. Each steam engine 
has a force of twelve men attached to it, viz., a foreman, 
assistant foreman, an engineer of steamer, a driver, a stoker, 
and seven firemen. All the engines and carriages are drawn 
by horses. There are five hundred and •four men, and one 
hundred and forty-six horses in the department. Each man 
is paid by the city for his services. The chief engineer re- 
ceives four thousand five hundred dollars per annum, fore- 
men of companies thirteen hundred dollars, the engineers of 
steamers twelve hundred dollars, assistant engineers eleven 
hundred dollars, and firemen one thousand dollars. The 
steamers were built by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company 
at Manchester, New Hampshire, and are amongst the very 
best of the kind in use. They cost four thousand dollars 
apiece. 

The engine houses are all connected with the Central 
Station by telegraph. They are models of neatness and con- 
venience. The lower floor is taken up with the apparatus 
and the horses. The basement is used for storing the fuel 
for the steamers, and also contains a furnace, by means of 
which the water in the engine boilers is always kept ho. 
The upper floor is the dormitory. The twelve men com- 
posing the company sleep here. A watch is always kept 




FIREMAN ON DUTY. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 413 

below, so that the men above, who are allowed to go to bed 
after ten o'clock, may be awakened without delay. Every- 
thing is neat and ready for use. It requires but fifteen 
seconds in the day, and one minute at night to be ready for 
action, and on the way to the fire. 

The men are not allowed to have any other employment 
to occupy their time. The department claims their whole 
duty. A certain number are required to be always at the 
engine house. In case of an alarm being sounded during the 
absence of a fireman from the engine house, he runs directly 
to the fire, where he is sure to find his company. Everything 
is in readiness to leave the house at a moment's notice. 
The horses stand ready harnessed, and are so well trained 
that but a few seconds suffices to attach them to the steamer. 
The fire needs only to be lighted in the furnace, and in a few 
minutes the steam gauge shows a sufficiency of power for the 
work to be done. Great care is taken of the horses. They 
are groomed every day, and carefully fed at six o'clock in 
the morning and at six in the evening. If not used on 
duty, they are exercised every day by being led to and fro 
through the streets in the vicinity of the engine house. They 
are fiery, splendid animals, and are so well trained that they 
will stand with perfect steadiness immediately in front of a 
burning building. 

AT WORK. 
When an alarm of fire is given, it is at once telegraphed 
from the nearest station to the central office, and repeated. 
The central office immediately strikes a gong, by telegraph, 
in the house of every engine which is to attend the fire. The 
locality, and often the precise spot of the fire can be ascer- 
tained by these signals. For instance, the bell strikes 157, 



414 TEE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

thus : one — a pause — five — another pause, — and then seven. 
The indicator will show that this signal or alarm is given 
from the corner of the Bowery and Grand street. The fire 
is either at this point, or within its immediate neighborhood. 

There is a gong in each engine house on which the alarm is 
struck from tho central station. As soon as the sharp strokes 
give the signal of danger and point out the locality, every 
man springs to his post. The horses are hitched in a few 
seconds, the fire is lighted in the furnace, and the steamer and 
hose carriage start for the scene of the conflagration. The 
foreman runs, on foot, ahead of his steamer to clear the way, 
and the driver may keep up with him, but is not allowed to 
pass him. Only the engineer, his assistant, and the stoker, 
are allowed to ride on the engine. The rest of the company 
go on foot. Fast driving is severely punished, and racing is 
absolutely prohibited. The men are required to be quiet 
and orderly in their deportment. 

Upon reaching the fire communication is made between 
the engine and the plug or hydrant, and the work begins. 
The chief engineer is required to attend all fires, and all 
orders proceed from him. The most rigid discipline is pre- 
served, and the work goes on with a rapidity and precision 
which are in striking contrast to the inefficiency of the old 
system. 

A force of policemen is at once sent to every fire. These 
stretch ropes across the street at proper distances, and no one 
but the members of the Fire Department, who may be known 
by their uniforms and badges are allowed to pass these bar- 
riers. In this way the firemen have plenty of room to work, 
lookers on are kept at a safe distance, and the movable 
property in the burning building is saved from thieves. 

The life of a fireman is very arduous and dangerous, and 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 415 

applicants for admission into the department are required to 
be persons of good health and good character. The men are 
often called upon not only to face great personal danger, but 
they are also subjected to a severe physical strain from loss 
of rest and fatigue. For a week at a time they will be called 
out and worked hard every night, but all the while are re- 
quired to be as prompt and active as though they had never 
lost a night's rest. They are constantly performing acts of 
personal heroism, which pass unnoticed in the- bustle and 
whirl of busy life around them, but which are treasured up 
in the heart of some grateful mother, father, wife, or husband, 
whose loved one has been rescued from death by the fireman's 
gallantry. 

Nor is the gallantry all on the side of the fireman. During 
the past year there have been numerous instances where an 
intrepid policeman has nobly risked his life to save some 
threatened fellow creature from death by fire or by drowning. 



CHAPTER L. 

HARRY HILL'S. 

In passing the corner of Broadway and Houston street, you 
will see, to the east of the great thoroughfare, an immense 
red and blue lantern attached to a low, dingy frame building. 
This is the sign of Harry Hill's dance-house. It is one of 
the sights, and one of the saddest sights, too, of New York. 
As you approach the place from Broadway, you notice a 
narrow door at the side of the main entrance, opening upon 
a flight of stairs which lead to the dancing hall. This is the 
private entrance for women. They are admitted free of 
charge as their presence is the chief attraction to the men 
who visit the place. Passing through the main door you 
enter a room used as a bar room and eating saloon. It differs 
in nothing from the average low class bar rooms of the city. 
A narrow passage-way between the counters, leads to the 
entrance of the dancing hall, which apartment is situated on 
the floor above the bar room and in the rear of it. Visitors 
to this hall are charged an admittance fee of twenty-five cents, 
and are expected to order liquor or refreshments as soon as 
they enter 

THE PROPRIETOR. 

Harry Hill is generally to be seen moving amongst his 
guests while the entertainment is going on. He is a short, 
thickset man, with a resolute, self-possessed air, and is about 
nfty years old. He is very decided in his manner, and is 

4i e 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 417 

fully equal to the task of enforcing his orders. The " fancy " 
stand in awe of him, as they know he will follow up any 
command with a blow or a summary ejection from his 
premises. He has been in the business for twelve years, and 
his profits are estimated at over fifty thousand dollars a year 
now, clear of all expenses. He is said to be a kind, humane 
man, and is reputed to give largely to charitable purposes. 
He manages every department himself, although he has a 
manager to conduct affairs for him. His eye is on every- 
body and everything. 

THE DANCE HALL. 

It is Harry Hill's boast that he keeps a "respectable 
house." Unlike the other dance-houses of the city, there 
are no girls attached to this establishment. All the com- 
pany, both male and female, consists of outsiders, who 
merely come here to spend an evening. The rules of the 
house are printed in rhyme, and are hung conspicuously in 
various parts of the hall. They are rigid, and prohibit any 
profane, indecent, or boisterous conduct. The most disre- 
putable characters are to be seen in the audience, but no 
thieving or violence ever occurs within the hall. Whatever 
happens after persons leave the hall, the proprietor allows 
no violation of the law within his doors. 

The hall, itself, consists simply of a series of rooms, which 
have been " knocked into one " by the removal of the par 
tition walls. As all of these rooms were not of the same 
height, the ceiling of the hall presents a' curious patchwork 
appearance. A long counter occupies one end of the hall, at 
which liquors and refreshments are served. There is a stage 
at another side, on which low farces are performed, and a 
tall Punch and Judy box occupies a conspicuous position. 
26 



418 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Benches and chairs are scattered about, and a raised platform 
is provided for the " orchestra," which consists of a piano, 
violin, and a bass viol. The centre of the room is a clear 
space, and is used for dancing. If you do not dance you 
must leave, unless you atone for your deficiency by a liberal 
expenditure of money. The amusements are coarse and low. 
The songs are broad, and are full of blasphemous outbursts, 
which are received with shouts of delight. 

THE DANCERS. 

You will see all sorts of people at Harry Hill's. The 
women are, of course, women of the town ; but they are 
either just entering upon their career, or still in its most 
prosperous phase. They are all handsomely dressed, and 
some of them are very pretty. Some of them have come 
from the better classes of society, and have an elegance and 
refinement of manner and conversation, which win them 
many admirers in the crowd. They drink deep and con- 
stantly during the evening. Indeed, one is surprised to see 
how much liquor they imbibe. The majority come here 
early in the evening alone, but few go away without com- 
pany for the night. You do not see the same face here very 
long. The women cannot escape the inevitable doom of the 
lost sisterhood. They go down the ladder ; and Harry Hill 
keeps his place clear of them after the first flush of their 
beauty and success is past. You will then find them in the 
Five Points and Water street hells. 

As for the men,- they represent all kinds of people and 
professions. You may see here men high in public life, side 
by side with the Five Points ruffian. Judges, lawyers, 
policemen off duty and in plain clothes officers of the army 
and navy, merchants, bankers, editors, soldiers, sailors, clerks, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 419 

and even boys, mingle here in friendly confusion. As the 
profits of the establishment are derived from the bar, drink- 
ing is of course encouraged, and the majority of the men are 
more or less drunk all the time. They spend their money 
freely in such a condition. Harry Hill watches the course 
of affairs closely during the evening. If he knows a guest 
and likes him, he will take care that he is not exposed to 
danger, after he is too far gone in liquor to protect himself. 
He will either send him home, or send for his friends. If 
the man is a stranger, he does not interfere — only, no crime 
must be committed in his house. Thieves, pickpockets, bur- 
glars, roughs, and pugilists are plentifully scattered through 
the audience. These men are constantly on the watch for 
victims. It is easy for them to drug the liquor of a man 
they are endeavoring to secure, without the knowledge of 
the proprietor of the house ; or, if they do not tamper with 
his liquor, they can persuade him to drink to excess. In 
either case, they lead him from the hall, under pretence of 
taking him home. He never sees home until they have 
stripped him of all his valuables. Sometimes he finds his 
long home, in less than an hour after leaving the hall ; and 
the harbor police find his body floating on the tide at sun- 
rise. Women frequently decoy men to places where they 
are robbed. No crime is committed in the dance hall, but 
plans are laid there, victims are marked, and tracked to loss 
or death, and, frequently, an idle, thoughtless visit there, haa 
been the beginning of a life of ruin. The company to be 
met with, is that which ought to be shunned. Visits froai 
curiosity are dangerous. Stay away. To be found on the 
Devil's ground is voluntarily to surrender yourself a willing 
captive to him. Stay away. It is a place in which no 
virtuous woman is ever seen, and in which an honest man 
ought to be ashamed to show his face. 



CHAPTEE LI. 

THE WICKEDEST WOMAN IN NEW YORK 

"We have already quoted at some length from an interest- 
ing work entitled " Asmodeus in New York" recently pub- 
lished in Paris, and we now ask the reader's attention to the 
following sketch of an entertainment given at the mansion 
of a female, whose infamous exploits as an abortionist have 
earned her the title of " the wickedest woman in New York." 

A BALL AT THE WICKEDEST WOMAN'S. 

" We entered. The lady of the house, richly attired in a 
silver-brocaded dress and wearing a crown of diamonds, very 
kindly welcomed us, thanking Asmodeus for bringing in a 
distinguished stranger. The introduction over, we mingled 
with the crowd, and went through the rooms opened to the 
guests, while the lady led to an adjacent room a few female 
friends, to show them her necklaces, rings, bracelets, and 
other jewels. 

'"American ladies,' said Asmodeus, 'avail themselves of 
every opportunity to exhibit their treasures, down to their 
silver, china, and linen. They are fond of jewels, the most 
showy being especially in favor. But I would not warrant 
that all those gems that flash in the gaslight are genuine 
stones. There is such a demand now for California dia- 
monds that, very likely, many sets now adorning the wives 
of lucky speculators are mingled with worthless imitations. 
Time is necessary to learn how to distinguish precious stones 
420 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 421 

from spurious ones, and few persons can devote as much lei 
sure as did yonder Jew banker in collecting pearls, the 
smallest of which in his possession is worth twenty thousand 
dollars. He recently gave to his wife a necklace made up 
oi twenty of such pearls, and their number increases every 
year.' 

" In the meanwhile, dancing had commenced in seveial 
spacious rooms ; in others, card-playing was being indulged 
in. Servants, wearing black garments and Tvhite neckties, 
were busy carrying refreshments around. Many persons, 
preferring the pleasure of eating to those of playing or danc- 
ing, were seated in another room at a table loaded with 
meats and delicacies. Next to this, another room, elegantly 
furnished, was crowded with young and old men, indulging 
in smoking. Boxes of cigars were piled up on elegant 
ttageres ; and I noticed that many a smoker, besides the cigar 
he was smoking, filled his pockets with that luxury. While 
going through the several rooms opened to the public, As- 
modeus called my attention to their costly furniture. Some 
of these rooms were lined with fine brocatelle, imported from 
France, Italy, China, and Japan, the latter conspicuous for 
their fantastical drawing and patterns ; others with Persian 
and Indian cloths ; and the several pieces of furniture were 
of unexceptionable taste. Some were inlaid with gold, 
bronze, or china ; some were made up of rosewood, artisti- 
cally carved. Gems of art and curiosities of every descrip- 
tion were displayed upon etageres ; and through the house, 
made bright as day by hundreds of gaslights, one walked on 
soft, smooth carpets of the best manufactures of Europe. 
They alone were worth a fortune. 

" Amazed at such luxury, exceeding that of many a patri- 
cian family in Europe, I thought our Amphitryon was either 



422 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

one of those wealthy merchants whose ships carry the 
American flag over the broad ocean, or those manufacturers 
who build up enormous fortunes at the expense of the 
public. 

" ' You are mistaken,' said Asmodeus. ' We will call, by 
and by, en one of those merchant-princes you allude to. For 
the present we are in the house of one of Juno's priestesses. 
You are aware, Juno was called Lucina when she superin- 
tended the birth of children. But the lady who has wel- 
comed us so kindly is far from assisting in the birth of chil- 
dren ; her calling, on the contrary, is to prevent it ; she prac- 
tices infanticide every day, and it is by carrying on this busi- 
ness she has obtained the wealth she is making so great a dis- 
play of. Every one of those window-shades, so nicely ar- 
ranged to ward off the rays of the sun, cost one thousand 
dollars. They were painted by our best artists, none of them 
having declined to display his talents for the benefit of 
Madame Killer — such is the name of the owner of this splen • 
did residence. As there are thirty windows, you may easily 
figure up the cost of those gorgeous shades. That of all the 
furniture is in the same proportion : every piece of it, I dare 
say, has been purchased with the money received for the 
murder of a child.' 

" Bewildered at these revelations, I thought Asmodeus was 
deceiving me. He quietly continued : 

" ' That stout gentleman, going from one to another, and 
making himself affable with everybody, who looks like a 
good-natured person, and whose unctuous manners remind 
one of a clergyman, is the husband of Madame Killer. He 
is an accomplished scholar, and has obtained his diploma 
from one of our best medical colleges. He might have 
obtained a competency by honest practice. But when Ma- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 423 

dame Killer, already enriched through her nefarious business, 
hinted that she was disposed to marry him, Bungling eagerly 
took the hint, and espoused this abortionist. 

" ' Of course, after the marriage, Madame Killer retained 
her own name, as it was already a notorious one. Love, you 
may be sure, had nothing to do with this matrimonial trans- 
action. Madame Killer married Bungling because his science 
might be of some service in many delicate circumstances — ■ 
in about the same way a merchant takes in a partner when he 
has too much to do. The couple have been uniformly pros- 
perous since they married, about ten years ago. True, they 
had two or three unpleasant misunderstandings with the 
police, on account of a few poor creatures dying of ill-treat- 
ment at their hands; but they came out of all of them 
triumphantly.' 

" ' Must I infer from this that the laws of America do not 
punish infanticide ? ' said I, ' that fearful crime of getting lid 
of children before or after their natural birth. Even the 
unfortunate who stakes her life to conceal the consequences 
of a fault, is amenable to law ; she is punished for child- mur- 
der, as well as her accomplice, in every civilized country.' 

'"By and by,' answered Asmodeus, 'I will explain that 
subject to you. I will content myself, for the present, by 
saying that the laws of America are no less severe than 
those of Europe, as regards the crimes of infanticide and 
abortion. But in such cases, as well as in many others, the 
law often remains a dead letter.' 

"I longed to depart from the house. I fancied, after A?- 
modeus's frightful revelations, the very air we breathed was im- 
pregnated with deadly miasma. Dancing had been interrupted 
for awhile ; and in a hall, connected with a conservatory, 
filled with rare and odoriferous plants, a concert was .begin- 



424 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

ning. Every note from a sonorous piano sounded in my ear 
like the wailing of one of those poor little beings the Am- 
phitryons had brought to an untimely death. And then, of 
what character were those women, crowding the rooms, in 
spite of the crumpling of their splendid dresses ? Who were 
those men, who had either accompanied or were courting 
them ? 

" ' You are quite mistaken,' said Asmodeus, ' if you believe 
we are in the midst of a mixed crowd, such as that denomi- 
nated the demi-monde in the French capital, and not tolerated, 
as yet, at private receptions here, or at places of public resort. 
To be sure, what is called the social evil unfortunately exists 
in New York, as in the large cities of Europe; but it keeps 
aloof from decent society. It is true, that such is the discre- 
tion of corrupt females, it is often impossible to distinguish an 
honest woman from one who has lost her chastity. Of course 
I do not speak of those creatures so deeply fallen into habits 
of corruption, that they shrink no longer from exhibiting 
their degradation. Perhaps we shall have an opportunity 
of visiting the backgrounds of our civilization, where those 
wretched creatures live. For the present, I must set you 
right concerning the standing in society of the guests of this 
house. 

" ' Most of those men, who so often appreciate the good 
things served around by the waiters, are wealthy merchants, 
lawyers, and physicians. I even recognize among them a 
few magistrates and legislators. They have accompanied 
their wives ; and some, even, have brought their daughters 
to this dreadful house, where some unfortunate woman is, 
perhaps, dying in the upper story, and paying with her life 
the violation of nature's laws. Some guests have come 
through curiosity, attracted by the splendors of a residence 



THE SiORETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 425 

opened for the first time to the gaze of strangers. Others 
have availed themselves of the opportunity of gayly spend- 
ing here a few idle hours, and do not trouble themselves 
with the Amphitryons' respectability. Lastly, many guests 
did not deem it safe to decline Madame Killer's invitation ; 
for that Thug of society holds in her hands the honor of 
hundreds of families, and it would be dangerous to arouse 
her resentment. A single word from her lips, some well- 
concocted story, would bring on awful scandals. She could, 
for instance, apprise yonder husband, so attentive to his wife, 
that the latter, during the two years he has served his coun- 
try abroad, has applied to Madame Killer's art to remove the 
consequences of an adulterous intrigue. That young man, 
who has just inherited a large estate, and seems so much 
enamoured of that light-haired young lady, might learn, to- 
morrow morning, through an anonymous letter, that the fair 
beauty, instead of spending, as he believes she did, the sum- 
mer months in the country, had secreted herself in Madame 
Killer's hospitable house. 

" ' Undoubtedly, the dread of some awful revelation has 
brought here many persons, as out of five hundred invited 
guests only a few do not attend Madame Killer's soiree. But 
I am far from believing that they would not have come, 
under any circumstances, even had they been free from fear 
of personal consequences. Madame Killer is wealthy, and 
nobody cares about the way she has obtained her wealth. 
Whoever is worth one million dollars, no matter how ac- 
quired, honestly or dishonestly, is welcome everywhere, and 
his soirees and receptions are attended by the best society. I 
see, for instance, talking with Madame Killer, a merchandise 
broker, whose name was given to a ship launched this very 
morning, and who would be shut out of decent society in any 



426 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

other country. Three years ago, he failed to the amount of 
two or three millions of dollars. According to his balance- 
sheet, he could pay fifty cents on the dollar. But, when his 
book-keeper joyfully informed his employer of such an un- 
expected result, " Change it, by all means," exclaimed the 
broker, " my creditors do not expect even fifteen cents on the 
dollar, and were I to give them fifty, what benefit woull I 
derive from my failure ?" And he paid ten cents only on the 
dollar. 

" ' Near that honest broker — who has become wealthy in 
consequence of that transaction, and at the same time a man 
of importance, being now a director of a trust company, and 
other concerns — see that young man, wearing side-whiskers, 
after the English fashion. His light hair and blue eyes de- 
note his German origin. He is an exchange broker, and 
made two hundred thousand dollars last year in this quick 
way : Pretending to have realized large profits in stock gam- 
bling, he succeeded in inspiring such confidence in the presi- 
dent of one of our most respectable banks, where he kept 
his account, that his checks were indiscriminately certified 
by that officer. One check for two hundred thousand dollars 
was in that way certified, and the money had just been paid 
out to a compeer, when the directors of the bank discovered 
that the adventurer had but a small deposit in their hands. 
He failed the next day, and the president, who had rashly 
caused a heavy loss to the bank, blew out his own brains. 

" ' The guest who is making his bow to the lady of the 
house, was formerly secretary of one of our railroad com- 
panies. The stock had gone up one hundred per cent, above 
par, on the strength of the manager's report, exhibiting the 
prosperous condition of the company's affairs, when an over- 
issue of stock, to the amount of two millions of dollars, was 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 427 

detected. To satisfy the public clamor, the secretary and 
another officer of the company were discharged. But all 
inquiry respecting this stupendous fraud was indefinitely 
postponed. The discharged employes of the company now 
live in high style, and give parties, which their former em- 
ployers, the directors of the railroad concern, do not fail to 
attend. 

" Next to him, that dandy, who is talking with a gentleman 
whose beard, though he is a judge of the Supreme Court, 
might grace the chin of a musketeer, is a wealthy bankers 
son. He is fresh from the State's prison ; and, strange in- 
deed, the magistrate he is speaking to, is the very one who 
sentenced him — perhaps, because of the pressure of public 
opinion, which must, after all, be taken into consideration. 
Our dandy, when his father retired, became sole manager of 
a banking house, and attempted to double, in a few weeks, 
the wealth his father had toiled thirty years to accumulate. 
Discarding legitimate speculation, he gambled at the Stock 
Exchange, which soon swallowed up the money and other 
deposits confided to his keeping. Then he became almost 
crazy. To keep up his credit with our banks and procure 
resources — and led astray by the hope of realizing profits 
large enough to make up his losses — he became a forger. He 
imitated the signatures of his correspondents, his own friends, 
in fact, of everybody in town ; and, one morning, the people 
were startled in reading in the newspapers that forged notes, 
amounting to several millions of dollars, were flooding the 
street. The young man was sentenced to prison for a term 
of five years — one for each forged million ! as remarked the 
wag who is now talking with him.' 

" ' How is it he is out of prison ?' 

- ' That is precisely a point of American law which de- 



423 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

serves a passing notice. Most of the State governors are 
vested with the pardoning power. When the exercise of 
such a prerogative devolves upon State legislatures, corrupt- 
ing influences are less to be apprehended. A single indi- 
vidual may be coaxed to pardon by his political friends, or 
even bribed. But money, and political connections, are of 
little avail when one has to deal with one hundred legisla- 
tors. In New York State, the legislature has no control over 
the pardoning power, which is vested exclusively in the 
governor. The family and friends of that youth represented 
his crime, stupendous as it was, as the first he had ever com- 
mitted. Its enormity was represented as a proof of tem- 
porary insanity — the great argument, now-a-days, of our 
lawyers — and he was set free by the governor, after remain- 
ing a few months in prison. He shows himself again among 
the wealthy classes, and is as kindly received by them as he 
would have been had he never forged notes to the amount 
of several millions of dollars — so deeply-rooted in the Amer- 
ican people is the feeling of tolerance, and especially when 
those who are the objects of it are millionaires, or in a fair 
way to become so.' * * * * * * * 

" At this moment, we noticed some excitement among a 
few young ladies standing near a songstress who had just 
been rapturously applauded. A gentleman of commanding 
appearance, but deadly pale, was speaking to her, in a tone 
loud enough to be heard by those standing by. ' You are 
certainly much indebted to Madame Killer,' said the gentle- 
man, ' but I wonder how you can sing in a house where you 
brought to death an innocent being I' And, bowing low to 
Madame Killer, he disappeared among the bewildered as- 
sembly. 

" ' Ah ! ' said Asmodeus, with a sarcastic smile, ' the 
wronged husband tells his false wife some bitter truths.' " 




SCENE AT THE "WICKEDEST WOMAN'S." 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 42'J 

HOW SHE CONDUCTS HER BUSINESS. 

Tht, wickedest -woman lives in a magnificent house, in a 
fashionable street. A part of her fortune was made as a 
female physician. She made money rapidly. The police 
were frequently called on to arrest her for child murder, but 
Bhe always managed to escape conviction and punishment. 
After several years of profitable practice, she opened a nome 
for unfortunate women. She advertised her business exten- 
sively, and soon became well known. Women who wished 
to conceal the results of their shame, sought her out, and 
found a tender and thoughtful friend during their period of 
trial. Such conduct, on her part, brought her a constant run 
of custom, and paid well. 

Her present business is conducted upon the same system. 
Her rooms are elegant, and perfectly secluded. Her patients 
have every comfort, every care, bestowed upon them. The 
doctress is gentle and considerate in everything, and her pa- 
tients soon learn to love her as a friend. She charges heavily 
for a 1 this, and her fees are usually paid, in full, in advance. 
Sometimes the party engaging the rooms gives no name, 
sometimes an assumed name is given. The wickedest wo- 
man asks no questions. 

Honest wives, in the comfort of their own homes, sur- 
rounded by love and respect, shrink from that hour of trial 
and anguish, which is at once a woman's cross and crown. 
How sad, then, is the trial of the erring creature in this 
splendid mansion. Terror, anguish, despair, remorse, and 
shame, struggle at her heart, and deprive her of courage, 
prudence, and almost of reason. At such times, few can 
resist the appeal of the wickedest woman, to confide in 
everything to her. The poor sufferer reveals her whole his- 
tory, her name, and that of the father of her child. The 



430 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

wickedest woman, while soothing her, listens attentively, 
and carefully records the whole story, with all the names. 
If the child is born alive, it is faithfully attended to, and 
every precaution is taken by the doctress to have it reared 
in health. The mother knows nothing of its fate, and, with 
recovered health, goes back to her position in society, carry- 
ing with her the assurance of the wickedest woman that 
her secret is safe. 

The wickedest woman never loses sight of either patient. 
As those who seek her assistance are apt to be persons of 
means, she has a motive in doing so. It may be one or ten 
years after her services were rendered, but, at what she con- 
siders the proper time, she renews her acquaintance with 
them. She will startle them by a call, or a note, recalling 
to them the events they would gladly forget, and soliciting a 
loan for a short time. The appeal is generally made to the 
man, and is sustained by such strong proofs that he dares not 
refuse to comply with the demand. Of course he knows 
that the wickedest woman will never return his money, 
but he is forced to send whatever sum she pleases. The 
child, which has been carefully reared, is a living witness 
against him, and the wickedest woman threatens to produce 
it if her demands are refused. Every year the demand is 
renewed. Men have been driven to bankruptcy, to ruin, and 
to death, by these heartless extortions. Still, the wickedest 
woman continues her course. She boasts that society in 
New York cannot do without her, and the facts seem to 
justify this boast. 



CHAPTER LII. 

BABY FARMING. 

A recent number of a city journal, contained the follow- 
ing account of the system of bringing up and adopting out 
illegitimate children in New York. We present it in place 
of any description of our own. 

FEMALE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS * 
" Having read in the English and Scottish journals of the 
day a great deal of curious and startling matter in reference 
to the practice of ' baby-farming,' as it is called, and having 
constantly accumulating proof submitted to our eyes and un- 
derstandings of the existence of similar practices in our 
midst, here, in this great Christian city of New York — having 
also read with mingled shame and wonder, and with suspen- 
ded judgment (as to the vital question whether, as the world 
goes and must go, they were criminally injurious or socially 
beneficial) concerning the numerous private establishments 
where wounded love and brazen immorality alike find refuge 
and concealment, and where the true orphans of life, those 
innocents who know not and who can never know, their 
fathers or their mothers, find a temporary home, prior to 
their entrance upon life and their struggle with the world — 
a married lady friend of mine and myself determined recently 
to personally inquire into these subjects and to investigate 
their condition and practical workings, so far as possible, and 

* The writer of this article is a woman. 

431 



432 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

to make public our investigations for the benefit of the world 
at large and of all whom it may concern. 

" Having arrived at this determination, the next morning 
we glanced over the advertising columns of the papers, and 
having read and reread the subjoined advertisement — 

" ' Important to females. Dr. and Mrs. (20 years' practice) 

guarantee certain relief to married ladies. Patients from a distance 
provided with board, nursing, etc. Private advice letter free. Office, 
, New York ' — 

We resolved to visit this establishment that very day. 

" "We found it located upon Third Avenue, near street, 

over a shop, and situated in the neighborhood of a number 
of little stores, sandwiched, as it were, between all varieties 
of trades. A sign on the exterior of the building directed us 
to pull the bell and walk up stairs. This injunction was 
probably designed to give the parties notice of the approach 
of persons desirous to see them, and to put them, and who- 
ever might chance to be with them at the time, on their 
guard. The correctness of this view was proved by the fact, 
that, as we entered, we saw a woman peering at us from the 
floor above, who immediately withdrew on seeing us. We 
were shown into what had evidently been intended for a hall 
bed-room but now served the purpose of a reception room or 
office. Here we were, in a few moments, waited upon, by 
the very lady or woman who had just peered down upon us, 
but who, of course, assumed to be totally unconscious of this 
fact. She was neatly dressed, and of quiet manner; and 
bowing, awaited our introduction of the object of our visit. 
We made a poor enough show, doubtless, in our pretended 
statement of our design in calling, but between us we gave 
her to understand, as we had previously arranged, that we 
acted in behalf of a lady friend of ours who had been ' un- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 433 

fortunate,' and who desired nursing, medical attention, and 

above all, secresy. Mrs. listened to our statement in a 

matter of fact way, as though our story was ' as familiar as 
household words,' and then, it must be confessed, kindly 
enough, with more delicacy and feeling (or show of it) than 
we would have, a priori, given her credit for, explained to us 
the modus operandi to be pursued. No patients were received 
at the office in Third Avenue ; they were all sent to another 

branch of the establishment in street, presided over bv 

a Dr. . 

" The terms were in all cases strictly the same. Twenty 
five dollars per week were charged for board and lodging, 
or one hundred dollars for the month, ' payable invariably 
in advance.' The fee for nursing and medical attendance 
was one hundred dollars ; while the charge made for receiving 
and taking care of the child reached the same figure — mak 
ing in all the considerable sum of three hundred dollars, fo r 
which amount it was guaranteed to furnish the most comfoi 
table lodging, the best professional skill, and the most invio 
late seclusion — certainly a convenient arrangement on both 
sides of the transaction. 

"It must be here mentioned that no pay whatever, not 
even in the shape of presents or equivalents, is received from, 
•the parties who 'adopt' the children thus confided to the 

care of Mrs. and Dr. . On the contrary, this 

amiable couple are only too glad to get rid of the ' infant 
darlings' in some lawful way, and thus to avoid any further 
expense or delay upon their account. Those to whom the 
children are really indebted for their birth are required to 
bear the expense, which, as just stated, is fixed at one hundred 
dollars. And the only fear entertained by the madame and 
the doctor is, that ' people will not apply fast enough for the 
27 



434 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

babies,' who are, from the day of their birth, sent at once to 
wet-nurses dispersed over the city, who, if the regular methods 
fail, are themselves allowed to adopt the children, or to dis- 
pose of them, by ' adoption,' to other parties." 

But few of these " private establishments" are well managed. 
The majority are conducted by ignorant, avaricious quacks, 
who have no knowledge of surgery or medicine, and who 
either kill or injure their victims for life. Frequent arrests 
of these people are made every year, but the punishment is 
seldom inflicted as it should be. It is, as a general rule, only 
in such first-class establishments as that of the wickedest 
woman that patients are well treated or skilfully served. 
In the majority of them the most horrible suffering and 
certain death await the poor creatures who enter them. There 
are very few exceptions to this rule. The newspapers are 
full of the advertisements of the wretches who conduct these 
establishments, and there are always an abundance of appli- 
cations from unfortunate women. They come here from all 
parts of the country. In the best establishments nature is 
allowed to take its course. In the others, the ignorant 
quacks attempt to hasten the result by artificial means. The 
end in such cases is death. 

A JUVENILE ESTABLISHMENT. 

You will see in almost any city paper a number of such 
advertisements as this : 

" Adoption.— Two beautiful infants, male and female, five and six 
months old. Call upon Mrs. , No. 25 E. th street." 

The following will show the meaning of such advertise- 
ments: 

" There is located on 19th street, New York city, a large 
establishment devoted to the obtaining and preparing of in- 
fants for ' adoption.' This Temple of the Innocents is presided 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 435 

over by a Madam P , and combines with the features 

common to the establishments elsewhere referred to, the new 
and novel feature of a 'nursery' in which the innocents are 
kept, nursed, and clothed, after a fashion, until they are 
' adopted.' The babies are housed in a large and airy room, 
plainly but neatly furnished, and are attended by a corps of 
nice-looking nurses. Each babe has its own cradle, and a 
rattle or toy or two, and the little creatures are really well 
attended to, as it is evidently and directly the interest of 
Madam P to have her stock in trade as healthy-look- 
ing as possible, in order to dispose of them rapidly and to 

advantage. Madam P is a stout brunette, gaily dressed, 

and has made a great deal of money by the practice of her 
peculiar 'profession.' 

" She possesses a large wardrobe of baby-dresses, in which 
the infants are attired when ' presented,' in order to look as 
captivating as possible, and the lady is a thorough ' artist ' in 
her way. She has been ' assaulted ' by the papers, and ' inter- 
fered with' by the police, but, nevertheless, the facts are stated 
as we have found them. 

"Another institution, located near that portion of the 
metropolis denominated Yorkville, is of a much more ne- 
farious description. Here children are left by their unnatuial 
parents to be 'disposed of,' and 'disposed of they are — Dot 
killed outright, but neglected — given to suspicious characters, 
to mere strangers, and never heard from or thought of after- 
wards. A pensive-seeming, expressively -faced young woman 
clad in black, with a shawl thrown over her person, is en 
gaged occasionally to appear as 'the mother' — 'the poor, 
heart-broken mother ' of the babies. By her appearance and 
well-feigned tears, she excites the sympathies of such ladies 
(few in number) as visit the establishment in good faith for 



13G THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

the purpose of ' adopting ' infants, and her bursts of maternal 
tenderness and grief when imprinting a ' farewell kiss, for- 
ever' upon the lips and cheeks of her departing darling, 
seldom fail to draw an extra fee from the benevolent pocket 
of the ' adopting ' patron." 

Many mothers offer their children for adoption, simply to 
get rid of the trouble and expense of supporting them. 
Others part with them with tears and heart pangs, in the 
hope that the little one's future will be bettered by the 
change. Various causes are assigned for such acts. 

AN INCIDENT. 

" A French schoolmistress, a pretty young woman, who 
taught her native language to the younger scions of several 

of our ' first families,' having been brought to Dr. 's 

establishment, expressed her willingness to allow her child 
to be adopted, and it was accordingly placed at the dis- 
posal of a fashionable lady and her husband, who visited 
the establishment, and were about to bear the child away, 
when, suddenly, the poor young mother rushed down stairs, 
and, seeing her own flesh and blood, her own baby, clasped in 
another's arms, and about to be torn from her heart and her 
grasp forever, fell at the feet of the, lady of fashion, and plead 
piteously, passionately, desperately, for permission to retain 
her child. In vain the lady of fashion remonstrated ; in vain 
she argued the matter; in vain she offered the girl-mother 
money ; in vain, too, were the upbraidings of the astonished 
housekeeper and her assistant ; nature would have its way, 
and the mother would have her child , and the contest of 
Gold versus God terminated, as all such struggles should, in' 
the victory of God and Heart, and the French mother kept 
her child." 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 437 
A FASHIONABLE "INNOCENT." 

" Some strange, almost romantic incidents have occurred in 
the history of the ' patients ' of the establishment of Dr. . 

" A lady of the highest fashion, residing in Madison Ave- 
nue, accompanied by her husband, (not like the poor girl, 
who, seeking a refuge, must come secretly and alone,) called, 
one day, in reference to the receiving within the accommo- 
dating shelter of the asylum, her own sister, who had been 
' unfortunate,' as women go. The ' sister ' — a fair-haired 
brunette, with exquisite eyes — was accordingly admitted, (it 
being announced to her circle, the curled darlings of society, 
that the young lady would be 'out of town, visiting some 
of her friends in the country ' for a limited period.) In three 
months, the young lady returned to her admirers, and a deli- 
cious cherub (given out to nurse) is at the present writing 
almost daily visited by a beautiful young lady, ' who has con- 
ceived a great liking for it,' and by an older and more ma- 
tronly lady, who speaks of, at some future time, ' adopting ' 
the little darling (who, apropos, bears a strong resemblance^ 
to the younger lady) for her own." 

FACTS. 

" Some years ago, a handsome young woman, of respectable 
parentage, sought the shelter of the convenient establishment 

of Dr. . The lady subsequently married a well-to-do 

farmer, from the West, and in the full confidence of the mar- 
riage state, trusting to the passionate devotion of her husband, 
she revealed the secret of her early misdemeanor to her liege 
lord, who proved himself well worthy of her confidence 
The wife, who resided in Illinois, came to New York ; visited 

Mrs. , (the lady who acted as Dr. 's agent, and a call 

upon whom has already been described,) and begged Mrs. 
to restore the child, who had been separated from her 



43S THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

and ' adopted ' by other parties, years before. With this re- 
quest Mrs. refused to comply. She knew the where- 
abouts of the child well enough, but she also knew that it 
was now the protege", the pet, the heir of a wealthy old 
couple, who were devotedly attached to it, and whose hearts 
would be almost broken by parting with it, while the worldly 
interests of the child would also be materially injured by 
the removal. Above all, the revealing of the child's locale 
would be a violation of a 'professional obligation,' and 
would be initiating a very dangerous precedent in matters 

of this kind ; and so Mrs. 's lips were sealed, and to this 

day the real mother knows naught of her own child ; would 
not even be able to recognize her offspring, if they were to 
meet face to face in the streets of New York. 

" A rising young politician of this city has recently mar- 
ried a lady, whose early history resembles that of the 
mother just mentioned. But the politician is of a different 
mould from the A-Vestern husband, and having ascertained 
the ' little episode' in his wife's history, is now negotiating 
with her for a separation. Unlike the mother just alluded 
to, however, the politician's wife has recovered her child, 
and finds consolation in the fact, even in view of the contem- 
plated separation. 

" A terrible scandal, which was on the verge of becoming 
the property of the greedy public of New York, compromis- 
ing a young Jewess of great wealth and high social position, 
lias been recently, and let us trust, finally ' hushed ' through \ 

the invaluable aid of Dr. 's establishment. A horrible 

revelation of domestic depravity has thus escaped publica- 
tion, and a woman who would otherwise have been an out- 
cast from her circle, and a blot upon the religion of her 
people, is now, thanks to skill, secresy, and money, the ad 
mired wife of a leading Hebrew merchant." 



CHAPTER LIII. 

THE FIRST DIVISION, NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD. 

The City is very proud of its military organization, and 
both the municipal and State governments contribute liber- 
ally to its support. The law organizing the First Division was 
passed in 1862, when the old volunteer system was entirely 
reorganized. Previous to this, the volunteers had borne 
their entire expenses, and had controlled their affairs them- 
selves. By the new law, important changes were introduced. 

The division consists of four brigades, and numbers thirteen 
thousand men. This includes a proper force of field artillery 
and cavalry. The United States provides the arms and uni- 
forms, which are, when furnished by the General Government, 
those prescribed by the army regulations. The best regi- 
ments, however, prefer a handsomer dress, and provide their 
own uniforms. The city makes an appropriation of five 
hundred dollars per annum for each regiment, for an armory. 
The cost of parades,, music, etc., is paid by the regiments 
themselves. Each regiment has its armory, in which are 
deposited the arms and valuable property. An armorer is 
in charge of the building, and it is his duty to keep the guns 
in good order. A reading room and library are attached to 
some of these armories, and are used as places of social re- 
union for the members of the command. Drills are held at 
stated times, and a rigid discipline is maintained. The men 
are, as a general rule, proud of their organizations, and en- 
thusiastic in military matters. They are well drilled, and 

439 



440 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

will compare favorably with any troops in the world, in both 
appearance and efficiency. Nearly all saw service during the 
late war, and there is not a regiment, we believe, that does 
not treasure some smoke-begrimed, bullet-rent flag, as its 
most precious possession. Out of the thirteen thousand men 
comprising the force, nine thousand were in the field, in 
active service, at one time during the war, and the division 
gave the country three thousand seven hundred and eighty 
officers for the struggle. 

These troops are always ready for duty. They are scat- 
tered all over the city, pursuing various useful callings, but 
at a certain signal, sounded by the City Hall bell, they will 
rally at their armories, and in an hour, there will be thirteen 
thousand disciplined troops ready to enforce the laws in any 
emergency. The past services of the division prove that it 
can always be relied upon. 




OLD BOWERY THEATRE. 



CHAPTER LIV. 

PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. 

The peculiar character of the population of New York, 
together with the immense throng of strangers always in town, 
makes it possible to sustain a great many places of amuse- 
ment in the city. 

The Academy of Music, on Fourteenth street and Irving 
Place, comes first on the list. It is generally occupied by the 
Italian Opera, but lately has been used for various pm poses. 
It is one of the largest public halls in the world, and is hand- 
somely fitted up. 

Pike's Opeea House, on Twenty-third street and Eighth 
Avenue, rivals the Academy in the beauty and taste of its in- 
ternal arrangements. The entrance is through a magnificent 
marble building, also the property of Mr. Pike, which is one 
of the ornaments of the city. 

Booth's Theatre, on Twenty-third street and Sixth 
Avenue is a handsome freestone edifice. It is the property 
of Mr. Edwin Booth, the famous tragedian. It is devoted ex- 
clusively to the legitimate drama, and will be conducted in a 
style worthy of the fame of its distinguished proprietor. 

Brougham's Theatre, in the rear of the Fifth Avenue 
Hotel, was used during the war for the night sessions of the 
Gold Board. It is a handsome little building, elegantly 
arranged internally, and is conducted by Mr. John Brougham, 
the famous comedian and author. 

Wallace's, on the corner of Broadway and Twelfth street, 

441 



442 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

is one of the coziest and test conducted places of amusement 
in the city. It is the property of Mr. Lester Wallack, and is 
devoted to the legitimate drama. It has the best company 
in the city, and the two Wallacks are to be seen here alone. 

The Olympic was built for Laura Keene, but has now 
passed into other hands. It is a well arranged, pleasant hall, 
and for the last year has been famous as the headquarters of 
that eccentric individual called " Humpty Dumpty." It is 
in Broadway below Bleecker street. 

Niblo's, is in the rear of the Metropolitan Hotel. It is a 
large comfortable hall, handsomely fitted up. It is devoted 
entirely to the sensational drama. It was here that those 
splendid spectacles, the "Black Crook" and the "White 
Fawn," were produced in such magnificent style. 

The Broadway, in Broadway below Broome street, is 
the property of Barney Williams. The Irish drama is its 
specialty. It is well patronized. 

The Old Bowery, in the Bowery below Canal street, is 
the only old style theatre in the city. Its audiences come 
from the east side. The place occupied in modern theatres 
by the parquette, is here devoted to an old fashioned pit, into 
which the juveniles of the Bowery region are packed like 
sheep. One has a fine chance to study humanity in this 
place. It is managed well, and is devoted to the sensational 
drama. 

The Stadt Theatre, nearly opposite the Old Bowery 
Theatre, is the largest in the city. It is the property of 
Germans, and its performances are in that language. It is 
well supported. 

Wood's Theatre, corner of Broadway and Thirtieth street, ' 
is a popular establishment. It is very high up town, but the 
manager has made it so attractive that it has drawn excellent 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 443 

houses. It has a museum, the successor of Barnurn ? s 
American Museum, attached to it, and is very popular with 
the young folks. 

Besides these there are several second and third class 
theatres, many negro minstrel halls, concert rooms, and other 
places of amusement for all grades and classes. The ma- 
jority advertise in the daily journals, and by consulting these 
monitors, one can always find the means of passing a pleasant 
evening in the Great City. 



CHAPTER LV. 

FORTUNE TELLERS AND CLAIRVOYANTS. 

The city journals frequently contain sucli advertisements 
as the following : 

" A test medium. — the original Madame F tells everything, 

traces absent friends, losses, causes speedy marriages, gives lucky num- 
bers. Ladies fifty cents ; gentlemen, one dollar. 464 th Avenue." 

" A FACT— NO IMPOSITION. The Great European Clairvoyant. 
She consults you on all affairs of life. Born with a natural gift, she tells 
past, present, and future; she brings together those long separated; 
causes speedy marriages ; shows you a correct likeness of your future 
husband or friends in love affairs. She was never known to fail. She 
tells his name ; also lucky numbers free of charge. She succeeds when 
all others fail. Two thousand dollars reward for any one that can equal 
her in professional skill. Ladies fifty cents to one dollar. Positively 
no gents admitted. No. 40 Avenue." 

It seems strange that, in this boasted age of enlightenment, 
the persons who make such announcements as the above, can 
find any one simple enough to believe them. Yet, it is a 
fact, that these persons, who are generally women, frequently 
make large sums of money out of the credulity of their fellow 
creatures. Every mail brings them letters from persons in 
various parts of the country. These letters are generally 
answered, and the contents have disgusted more than one 
simpleton. The information furnished is such as any casual 
acquaintance could give, and just as trustworthy as the reports 
of the " reliable gentleman just from the front," used to prove 
during the late war. The city custom of these impostors is 
about equal to that brought to them from the country by 
444 



THE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 445 

means of their advertisements. Some of them make as much 
as one hundred dollars per day, all of which is a clear profit, 
the majority earn from three to six dollars per day. Servant 
girls are profitable customers. Indeed, but for female cred- 
ulity the business would go down. 

Still, there are many male visitors. Speculators, victims 
of the gaming table and the lottery, come to ask for advice, 
which is given at random. The woman knows but little of 
her visitors, and has no means of learning anything about 
them. Sometimes her statements are found to be true, but 
it is by the merest accident. 

The clairvoyants do not hesitate to confess to their friends, 
in a confidential way, of course, that their pretensions are 
mere humbuggery, and they laugh at the credulity of their 
victims, whilst they encourage it. It seems absurd to discuss 
this subject seriously. We can only say to those who shall 
read this chapter, that there is not in the city of New York 
an honest fortune-teller or clairvoyant. They knowingly 
deceive persons as to their powers. It is not given to human 
beings to read the future — certainly not to such wretched spe- 
cimens as the persons who compose the class of which we are 
writing. The only sensible plan is to keep your money, dear 
reader. You know more than these impostors can possibly 
tell you. 

Many of these fortune-tellers and clairvoyants are simply 
procuresses. They draw women into their houses and ply 
them so with temptations, that they frequently ruin them. 
This is the real business of most of them. They are leagued 
with the keepers of houses of ill-fame. No woman is safe 
who enters their doors. 



44 C THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

LOVE-CHARMS. 

These parties will also offer for sale " amulets," " charms," 
or "recipes," which they say will enable a person to win the 
love of any one of the opposite sex, and excite the admiration 
of friends: or "to give you an influence over your enemies 
or rivals, moulding them to your own will or purpose;" or 
to " enable you to discover lost, stolen, or hidden treasure," 
etc., etc. For each or any of these charms the modest sum 
of from three dollars to five dollars is demanded, with "re- 
turn postage." All these, as well as "love powders," "love 
elixirs," etc., are either worthless articles, or compounds con- 
sisting of dangerous and poisonous chemical substances. 
Many of the men who deal in them have grown rich, and the 
trade still goes on. The world is full of fools, and these im- 
postors are constantly on the watch for them. 



CHAPTER LVI. 

THE HARBOE. 

The harbor of New York comprises the Hudson or North 
Eiver on the west side of the island, the East Eiver on the 
east side, and the inner bay lying between the mouth of the 
Hudson and the Narrows. Beyond the Narrows is the lower 
bay, which is little more than an arm of the sea, though the 
anchorage is good and secure. 

The harbor contains the shipping of all civilized nations, 
and the flags of some of the barbaric powers are often to be 
seen at our piers. The North Eiver piers are devoted to the 
great ocean steamship lines, and the steamers to domestic 
ports, while the East Eiver is occupied by the old sail- vessels 
almost entirely. Each river has its peculiar characteristics, 
so that in leaving the water on one side of the island, and 
passing over to it again on the other side, one might easily 
imagine himself in a different port from that he has just left. 
The harbor is always full of vessels, and sometimes as many 
as fifteen first-class steamships will sail from the bay in a 
single day, bound for foreign and domestic ports. This is 
exclusive of the large number of river and sound steamboats, 
and sail- vessels, that arrive and depart daily. 

THE HARBOR POLICE. 

The peace and safety of the harbor are watched over by a 
police force, whose head-quarters are on a steamer. The force 
is composed of resolute and daring men, as the persons they 

447 



448 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

have to deal with are mostly hardened characters, reckless 
sailors arid the like. There are twenty-five men in the whole 
force, under the orders of a Captain and two Sergeants. They 
have charge of the two rivers and the upper and lower bay, 
and are constantly moving to and fro in their steamer and 
row-boats. The headquarters steamer is a gloomy looking 
black craft, called the " Metropolitan," which may be seen at 
all hours of the day and night moving swiftly around the city. 
The harbor police render efficient service during fires in the 
shipping, and are often called upon to suppress crime and 
violence, which are attempted beyond the reach of the patrol- 
men on shore. 

THE EESCUE STATIONS. 

Accidents are common in every large port, but the peculiar 
construction of the New York ferry houses renders the num- 
ber of cases of drowning doubly great. In order to guard 
against this, and to afford timely assistance to persons in 
danger of drowning, " rescue stations " have been established 
along the water front of the city. There is one at each ferry 
house, and the others are located at the points where accidents 
are most likely to occur. These stations are each provided 
with a ladder of sufficient length to reach from the pier to the 
water at low tide, with hooks at one end, by means of which 
it is attached firmly to the pier ; a boat hook fastened to a 
long pole ; a life preserver or float, and a coil of rope. These 
are merely deposited in a conspicuous place. In case of 
accident any one may use them for the purpose of rescuing 
a person in danger of drowning, but at other times it is 
punishable by law to interfere with them, or to remove them. 
The station is in charge of the policeman attached to the 
•' beat " in which it is located, and he has the exclusive right 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 44 i* 

in the absence of one of his superior officers to direct all 
proceedings. At the same time he is required to comply 
strictly with the law regulating such service on his part, and 
to render every assistance in his power. The law for the 
government of those using the " rescue apparatus " is posted 
conspicuously by the side of the implements, as are also 
concise and simple directions as to the best method of attempt- 
ing to resuscitate drowned persons. These stations have been 
of the greatest service since their establishment, and reflect 
the highest credit on those who originated ind introduced 
them. 



28 



CHAPTER LVII. 

QUACK DOCTORS. 

Many years ago a sharp-witted scamp appeared in one of 
the European countries, and offered for sale a pill, which he 
declared to be a sure protection against earthquakes. Absurd 
as was the assertion, he sold large quantities of his nostrum, 
and grew rich on the proceeds. The credulity which enriched 
this man, is still a marked characteristic of the human race, 
and often strikingly exhibits itself in this country. The 
quack doctors, or medical impostors, to whom we shall devote 
this chapter, live upon it and do all in their power to en- 
courage it. 

There are quite a number of such men in New York, and 
they offer to cure all manner of diseases. Some offer their 
wares for a small sum, others charge enormous prices. Fre- 
quently one of these men will personate half a dozen different 
characters. The newspapers are full of their advertisements, 
some of which are really unfit for the columns of a respectable 
journal. Besides these, they send thousands of circulars, 
through the mails, to persons in various parts of the country, 
setting forth the horrors of certain diseases, and offering to 
cure them for a fixed sum. The circular contains an elaborate 
description of the symptoms or premonitory signs of these 
diseases. A very large number of persons, reading these 
descriptions, really come to the conclusion that they are 
affected in the manner stated by the quack. So great is the 
power of the imagination in these cases, that sound healthy 
450 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 451 

men are, sometimes, absolutely led to fancy themselves in need 
of medical attention. A short conversation with their regular 
physicians, would soon undeceive them, but they foolishly 
send their money to the author of the circular in question, 
and request a quantity of his medicine for ihe purpose of 
trying it. The nostrum is received in due time, and is ac- 
companied by a second circular, in which the patient is coolly 
informed that he must not expect to be cured by e-ne bottle, 
box, or package, as the case may be, but that five or six, or 
sometimes a dozen will be necessary to complete the cure, 
especially if the case is as desperate and stubborn as the letter 
applying for the medicine seems to indicate. Many aie foolish 
enough to take the whole half dozen bottles or packages, and 
in the end are no better in health than they were at first. 
Indeed they are fortunate if they are not seriously injured, by 
the doses they have taken. They are disheartened in nine 
cases out of ten, and are, at length, really in need of good 
medical advice. They have paid the quack more money 
than a good practitioner would demand for his services, and 
have only been injured by their folly. 

It may be safely said that no honest and competent physi 
cian will undertake to treat cases by letter. No one worthy of 
patronage will guarantee a cure in any case, for an educated 
practitioner understands that cases are many and frequent 
where the best human skill may be exerted in vain. Further 
than this, a physician of merit will not advertise himself in 
the newspapers, except to announce the location of his office 
or residence. Such physicians are jealous of their personal 
and professional reputations, and are proud of their calling, 
which is justly esteemed one of the noblest on earth. They 
are men of humanity and learning, and they take, perhaps, 
more pleasure in relieving suffering than in making money. 



452 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

If a patient cannot pay for their services, they give them 
free in the name of the Great Healer of all ills. They have 
no such things as private remedies. They use their knowl- 
edge for the good of mankind, and are prompt to make known 
their discoveries, so that all the world may enjoy the benefit, 
they themselves being rewarded with the fame of their 
inventions. 

Not so with the quacks. A few have some medical knowl- 
edge, and are even graduates of regular colleges, but the 
majority have neither medical knowledge nor skill. They 
know their remedies are worthless, and they offer them only 
to make money. They know in many cases that their 
nostrums will inflict positive injury upon their victims ; but 
they are careless of the harm they do. They live upon 
human misery. 

We may safely assure the reader that not one single phy- 
sician, so called, who conducts his business by means of 
advertisements or circulars, is really competent to treat the 
cases he professes to cure, and that no one knows this better 
than himself. Do not answer any advertisement you may 
see in the newspapers. They are worthless. Above all do 
not take the medicines sent you by the advertisers. Some 
of them are poisonous substances. If you doubt this asser- 
tion, take the compound to any druggist of your acquaintance, 
and ask him to analyze it, and tell you what it is worth as a 
healing agent. If you need medical advice, go to some 
physician that you know and have confidence in. Don't 
put yourself in the hands of a man you know nothing of, 
who would just as soon poison you as heal you, and who 
pursues his calling, in most cases, in violation of the laws of 
the land. Let quack doctors, or, in other words, advertising 
doctors, alone. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 453 

PATENT MEDICINES. 

As a general rule, the various medicines advertised as 
" specifics," or " panaceas," for various ills, are humbugs. 
They are worthless. Many of them are made up of harmless 
drugs, which can do no harm, if, as is very certain, they do 
no good; but others are composed of very dangerous sub- 
stances. The remedies advertised for " private diseases " 
rarely fail to make the patient worse, either by aggravating 
the disease itself, or by permanently injuring the constitution. 
The " Elixirs of Life," " Life Eejuvenators," " Vital Fluids," 
etc., are either dangerous poisons, or worthless draughts. 
They contain mercury to a very large extent ; and any one 
acquainted with the properties of this substance can easily 
understand how great is the danger of using them. The cer- 
tificates accompanying them, as testimonials of their merits, 
are simply forgeries. Some rascally proprietors have not 
hesitated to use the names of prominent public men, with- 
out either their knowledge or consent, in this way. Some of 
these forgeries have been discovered and exposed, but the 
majority pass unnoticed. Rest assured, dear reader, that men 
of character are very chary of such use of their names. 

The various bitters which flood the country are only cheap 
whiskey, or rum and water, made nauseous with drugs. 
They have no virtue whatever, as medicinal agents, and 
merely injure the tone of the stomach. Their chief result is 
to establish the habit of intemperance. They are more fiery 
than ordinary liquors, and more destructive in their effects. 

The various medicinal wines which are offered for sale, 
are decoctions of elderberry juice and kindred substances, 
and are more hurtful than beneficial. 

The " washes," " lotions," " toilet fluids," etc., are generally 
apt to produce skin diseases. They contain, in almost every 



454 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

instance, substances which are either directly or indirectly 
poisonous to the skin. 

The "tooth washes," "powders," and " dentrifices," are 
hurtful. They crack or wear away the enamel of the teeth, 
leave the nerve exposed, and cause the teeth to decay. If 
you are wise, dear reader, you will never use a dentrifice, 
unless you know what it is made of. The principal con- 
stituent of these dentrifices is a powerful acid, and there are 
some which contain large' quantities of sulphuric acid, one 
single application of which will destroy the best teeth in the 
world. 

The "hair dyes," advertised under so many different 
names, contain such poisons as nitrate of silver, oxide of. 
lead, acetate of lead, and sulphate of copper. These are fatal 
to the hair, and generally injure the scalp. 

The " ointments " and " onguents," for promoting the 
growth of whiskers and moustaches, are either perfumed and 
colored lard, or poisonous compounds, which contain quick 
lime, or corrosive sublimate, or some kindred substance. If 
you have any acquaintance who has ever used this means of 
covering his face with a manly down, ask him which came 
first, the beard, or a troublesome eruption on the face. 

RETIRED PHYSICIANS. 

One of the popular " dodges " of the rogues who sell such 
compounds as we have been describing, is to insert such an 
advertisement as the following in the newspapers of the 
country. 

" A Retired Physician, of forty years' practice, discovered, while in 
India, a sure remedy for consumption, bronchitis, colds, etc. Having 
relinquished his practice, he has no further use for the remedy, and wiU 
send it free on receipt of a three cent stamp to pay return postage." 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 455 

Sometimes the advertisement is that of a " retired clergy- 
man," and sometimes it is in the following form : 

" A lady who has beon cured of great nervous debility, after many 
years of misery, desires to make known to all fellow sufferers, the sure 

means of relief. Address, enclosing a stamp, Mrs. , P. 0. box , 

New York, and the prescription will be sent free by return mail." 

A single moment's reflection ought to convince any sen- 
sible person that the parties thus advertising are humbugs. 
It costs a great deal to advertise, and as the announcements 
we refer to can be seen in every paper in the land, it is safe to 
say that the " retired physician " and " clergyman," or the 
"nervous lady," expend each from five to ten thousand 
dollars per annum in advertising. The reader will see at 
a glance, that, however benevolent such parties may be, 
they cannot afford to give away so much money every year. 
The manner in which the business is managed is as follows : 

The "retired physician" and "clergyman," and the "ner- 
vous lady," are one and the same individual. The man per- 
sonating them is an ignorant knave. He scatters his adver- 
tisements broadcast over the land. Letters come, asking for 
bis valuable recipe. He sends the prescription, and notifies 
the party asking for it, that if the articles named in it cannot 
be procured by him at any drug store convenient to him, he, 
the " retired physician," " clergyman," or " nervous lady," 
will furnish them, upon application, at a certain sum, (gener- 
ally averaging five dollars,) which he assures him is very 
cheap, as the drugs are rare and expensive. The articles 
named in the prescription are utterly unknown to any drug- 
gist in the world, and the names are the production of the 
quack's own brains, and, as a matter of course, the patient is 
unable ' to procure them at home, and sends an order for 
them with the price, to the " retired physician," " clergy- 



456 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

man," or " nervous lady," and in return receives a nostrum 
compounded of drugs, which any apothecary could have fur- 
nished at one half the expense. In this way the " benevo- 
lence" of the quack is very profitable. Men have grown 
rich in this business, and it is carried on to an amazing ex- 
tent in this city. It is done in violation of the law, and the 
benevolent individual not unfrequently falls into the hands 
of the police, but, as soon as released, he opens his business 
under a new name. As long as there are fools and dupes in 
the world, so long will the " retired physician " find an ex- 
tensive practice. 

Any one who chooses to do so, can verify our statement by 
a simple application at the police headquarters of this city. 
The accomplished and energetic Superintendent of the Me- 
tropolitan force is a stern foe to swindlers of all kinds, and 
he can furnish any one who desires it with more interesting 
details on this subject than we can possibly give. One 
proof of our assertions is the fact that these quack doctors 
and patent medicine proprietors rarely use their own names 
in their business. Thev ooerate under a variety of aliases. 



CHAPTER LVIII. 

THE RACES. 

The old " Fashion Course," on Long Island, which was 
formerly the scene of the triumphs of the monarchs of the 
turf, has of late been eclipsed by the course at " Jerome 
Park," in West Chester county. This course is situated near 
Fordham, and is the private property of Mr. Leonard W. 
Jerome. The grounds are large, and handsomely orna- 
mented, and the race-course has been prepared with great 
care and skill. The meetings of the American Jockey Club 
are held here. They attract vast crowds. The best points 
of view, and the most beautiful parts of the grounds, are re- 
served exclusively for the use of the members of the club 
and their friends, and the remainder of the enclosure has 
been thrown open to the public. Mr. Jerome's liberality is 
appreciated by the outside throng, and the races are not 
marred with any act of rowdyism or lawlessness. 

The races are the occasion of a great deal of money 
changing hands. Bets are freely offered and taken on the 
various horses, and the struggle of the noble beasts is 
watched by thousands of anxious eyes. The greatest ex- 
citement prevails amongst the elite in the private stands, as 
well as throughout the common herd below. Every eye is 
strained to watch the swift coursers as they whirl down the 
track, and when the quarter-stretch is gained, the excitement 
is beyond all control. The victor steed flashes with light- 
ning speed by the judges' stand amidst a storm of cheers 

457 



458 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

and jells of delight. Bayonet, Bonnie Lass, and Stonewall 
Jackson, are the favorites, and the winning horses during 
the present season. 

The course is still new, but the system which it has in- 
augurated is becoming more thorough every year. The man- 
agement is in the hands of gentlemen of character, who are 
seeking to make at least one place in the country where the 
blackguards and reckless gamblers who disgrace the Ameri- 
can turf shall be powerless, to control affairs. The benefits 
of this management will be very great. The stock of the 
State will be vastly improved, and the metropolis, especially, 
will be able to boast some of the finest blooded racers in the 
world. 

During the meetings, the road from the city to the course, 
which lies through the Central Park, presents a scene richly 
worth witnessing. It is thronged with brilliant equipages, 
and some of the finest and most dashing horses to be seen in 
America. All classes are represented. You will see Com- 
modore Vanderbilt, with his fine buggy and splendid trot- 
ters, while, behind him, follows hard a butcher's cart and its 
merry occupants, the fiery little cob throwing the dirt in the 
eyes of many a Fifth Avenue team. The greatest good 
humor is manifested on all sides, and all press forward 
eagerly to witness the sport in store for them at " Jerome 
Park." 



CHAPTER LIX. 

MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENTS. 

In almost any New York journal you will find such, ad- 
vertisements as the following 

" An honorable gentleman, established in business, desires for a wifo 
a lady of means and respectability. Address M. J. P., Station D, 
New York." 

"A gentleman of the highest respectability, who has lately come 
into possession of a large fortune, desires to make the acquaintance of 
a lady with a view to matrimony. Must be handsome, accomplished, 
amiable, healthy, and pious, and not over twenty-five. Address Hus- 
band, Herald office." 

It is probable that some of the parties thus advertising 
may be in earnest, but it is very certain that matrimony is 
the last intention of the majority of them. There are not 
many persons who will care to marry a woman won through 
the columns of a newspaper. Such simpletons would de- 
serve whatever trouble or shame such an alliance would 
bring about. 

Many young men and women insert these advertise- 
ments for the sake of " having a little sport," though, as we 
shall show, the sport thus produced is of a very dangerous 
character. 

A DANGEROUS PLEASURE. 

A young man, not long since, advertised for a wife 
through the columns of a city paper, merely designing 

459 



460 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

the affair as a piece of sport. His communication was 
answered by a woman, whose handwriting was that of an 
educated person. Several letters passed between the parties, 
and the young man, wishing to see his unknown correspond- 
ent, asked an interview with her. She demanded to know 
if he really meant to marry her. She would not see him 
without a positive answer on this point. She enclosed him 
her photograph. The picture was that of a young and beau- 
tiful woman, and of course inflamed the young man's desire 
to see the original. It would have been well for him if he 
had dropped the correspondence at once, but he foolishly 
allowed himself to be led on farther, and wrote to the wo- 
man, declaring that he was serious in his intentions, and 
would marry her if she would have him. He consoled him- 
self with the thought that he had signed a fictitious name to 
the letter. The next day he received a communication from 
the woman, asking him to call upon her at her residence, 
which was given. He did so. He found that her picture 
had not deceived him — that she was both young and beau- 
tiful. 

She received him graciously, and in the course of the con- 
versation asked him if the letters she held in her hand, were 
his. He glanced at them, and assured her that they were. 
After a short interview, he took his departure, promising to 
visit her the next day. Judge his surprise when she saluted 
him, upon his return, by his proper name. In great confu- 
sion, he denied his name, but she quietly told him that he 
had been followed from her house by friends of hers on the 
previous night. She had taken good care to establish his 
identity. Besides that, she had had two witnesses concealed 
behind the heavy window curtains during the previous day, 
who had overheard his acknowledgment of his written offer 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 461 

of marriage. She told him frankly that she had no wish to 
marry him, and would surrender to him his letters, and leave 
him in peace, if he would pay her five thousand dollars. If 
he refused, she would bring suit against him for ten thousand 
dollars damages for a breach of promise. He refused her 
demand, and left the house. He went immediately to a 
lawyer and laid his case before him. The lawyer consented 
to see the woman, and report the result of his interview. He 
did so, and the result was that, finding the woman to be one 
with whom no man's name ought to be associated in such a 
matter, and seeing that her case was so strong, he advised 
his client to comply with her demand, and receive back his 
letters. This advice was taken, and the young man, who 
was, fortunately for him, quite wealthy, and able to pay the 
money, secured his letters and lost his money. He has not 
advertised for a wife since then. 

Men, however, are not often caught in this way. The 
victims are chiefly young girls, who think it a fine thing to 
answer an advertisement. One of these foolish girls, living 
in a neighboring State, once answered an advertisement for 
a wife, thinking it would be fine fun to carry on such a cor- 
respondence. She received and replied to several letters, 
but as she signed her true name to none of her own, con- 
sidered herself safe. She was surprised one day by being 
summoned into the parlor by her father. She there found a 
villainous looking fellow, who announced himself as her cor- 
respondent. He had come from New York with his last 
letter, and bad watched the post-office, until he heard the 
young girl call for it, and had followed her home. He had 
all her letters with him, and demanded five hundred dollars 
as the price of them, threatening, in case he was refused, to 
make the matter public in the town. The girl was over- 



462 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

whelmed with shame and confusion at her folly, and her 
father was very angry with her. He threatened to have the 
man arrested for endeavoring to extort money in such a 
manner, but the fellow reminded him that such a course 
would only make the scandal greater. There was no help 
for it. The girl had been foolish, but had done nothing to 
merit the scandal which would ensue if the matter were made 
public, so the father bought back the letters at the scoun- 
drel's price, and the affair. was hushed up. The girl was 
cured of her folly, and will never again commit so thought- 
less and foolish a blunder. 

By far the greatest number of advertisements of this kind 
are inserted by persons who wish to levy black mail upon 
those who are foolish enough to reply to them. Persons un- 
accustomed to these wretches cannot imagine how patiently 
and persistently they will work to discover the names of their 
correspondents. Distance is no obstacle to them, for they can 
follow a letter anywhere. The best plan is not to notice 
matrimonial advertisements at all. 

MATRIMONIAL BROKERS. 
Thero are several women in the city who advertise to in- 
troduce strangers into the best society, and to procure wives 
and husbands from the same element for their customers. 
As a general rule, these women are simply procuresses. If, 
however, a man desiring to marry a woman in this city, 
seeks their aid, they will always find some means of assisting 
him. The charge for their services is either a percentage on 
the lady's fortune, or a certain specified sum. The woman, 
or broker, will devise some means of making the acquaint- 
ance of the lady against whom her arts are to be directed, 
and will proceed cautiously, step by step, until she has caused 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 463 

her victim to meet the man for whom she is working. The 
arts used vary according to circumstances, but they rarely 
fail of success. Men who wish to accomplish the ruin of 
some innocent girl, also seek the aid of these brokers, and fre- 
quently, through their assistance, effect their purpose. If it 
is necessary, the victim, after being allured to the broker's 
house, is drugged. These women are the vampires of so- 
ciety. It is very difficult for the authorities to make a case 
against them, and they generally go unpunished. 



CHAPTER LX. 

PERSONALS. 

• 

The first column of the Herald, and a prominent column 
of nearly all the city papers, bears the above heading. The 
advertisements in these columns are curiosities in their 
way. The most confidential communications are inserted 
here without fear of detection. Where meetings are desira- 
ble, and letters would be read by parties interested in pre- 
venting such meetings, these personals accomplish the object 
quickly and without danger. The vilest and most infamous 
transactions are thus arranged. Roues make appointments 
with their victims, thieves announce to each other some plan 
of action for a daring robbery, and false wives notify their 
lovers of the time and place of a future meeting. All classes 
use the personal column for all purposes. Some of the 
advertisements are utterly unintelligible to any but those for 
whom they are intended. Others are easily deciphered. 

"served him right." 

The following, which we clip from a city paper, will ex- 
plain one use to which the personal column is put. We 
need hardly say that all such affairs do not end so harmlessly : 

" A few months ago, the following personal advertisement 
appeared in one of our morning papers : 

" ' Sweet pace at the window.— Will the beautiful young lady who 
smiles nearly every morning upon the gent who rides past her house on 
the Eighth Avenue cars, have the kindness to address a note to "Admirer," 
Station " E," stating when and how an interview may be had ?' 
464 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 465 

" Chancing to know the smitten youth, who inserted this 
amorous ' personal,' we resolved to see what came of it. He 
was what is generally termed a quiet man, and the last person 
in the world to engage in a flirtation. It seemed even strange 
that he should venture to such an extreme in order to make 
the acquaintance of any lady, and that he must have been 
desperately in love with that ' sweet face at the window,' was 
the only conclusion that we could arrive at. 

" The next day he received nine different letters in answer 
to this advertisement, showing beyond a doubt that there was 
more than one ' sweet face at the window ' that smiled on 
some fortunate passenger or other, every morning, and who 
undoubtedly imagined that her face was the one alluded to 
by this advertiser. 

" Our friend was in a quandary. Some natures would 
have embraced them all, but his heart only sought, the one 
'sweet face' that had haunted him so long, and in his 
perplexity he sought our counsel. It was finally arranged 
that he should answer the entire lot, and appoint a meeting 
with each at a well-known restaurant, where, unknown to. all 
save the one he sought, he could not only have an opportunity 
of viewing the other ' sweet faces,' but see and recognize the 
one he sought for without disturbing the expectations of the 
others. 

" The evening came, and our friend enteied the saloon and 
took a position at a table where he could observe all who 
entered. As the hour approached, quite a number of ladies 
came in, and took seats at various tables. They each bore 
on their ' sweet faces ' looks of expectancy, and after taking 
a good observation of each gentleman present, they placed 
themselves in such positions as to be able to see whoever 
entered after them. There might have been a question about 
29 



466 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

the peculiar ' sweetness ' of all of them, but there could be 
none relative to their matrimonial desires. They all, or a 
majority of them, had passed that bewitching period when 
woman's charms are the most enticing, and seemed anxious 
not to pass into the sere and yellow leaf without some one 
on whom they could lean for support. 

" Finally his eye fell upon the object of his search. He 
left the table and his refreshments, and approached her as she 
came toward him. The meeting was as cordial as might have 
been expected, and even more so. He led her back to the 
table he had just left, and, ordering more refreshments, he fell 
to talking in the most cordial manner, while the other ' wait- 
ing ones ' looked on in wonderment. To a few of them the 
truth was plain, but a majority still lingered in hopes of being 
made as happy as the other young lady now appeared to be. 
But our friend soon sought the open air with his fair com- 
panion, leaving the others to whatever fate might be in store 
for them. 

" She was really a fine looking woman, and those qualities, 
taken in connection with a good education and a quaint 
brilliancy of conversation, would have made her really attrac- 
tive to any man of taste, and, on this occasion, completely 
carried our poor friend's heart by storm. The hours glided 
by, like the silvery chime of bells, and before ten o'clock, the 
hour mentioned as the one bordering her furthest stay, she 
had completely won our bachelor friend, and counted him 
among her jewels new. 

" So sincere and true is he that he is too apt to look for 
the same qualities in others, and, in this instance, he bared his 
whole heart and confessed his love. But she had such a de- 
lightful way of laughing off a serious proposition, and of 
asserting that the lover was only trying to make himself 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 467 

agreeable, (which, under such circumstances, was perfect justi- 
fiable, she thought,) and that he would probably forget her 
when out of sight, and in the presence of a handsomer face ; 
that, to say nothing of their short acquaintance, it could not 
be that he really meant anything of the kind, so that by the 
time he had arrived at the location of where they were xo 
part, she had completely dazed the poor lover, and leaving 
him with a kind good-night, he stood riveted to the spot, 
gazing after her as one gazes on the track of a meteor. 

" No sleep for him that night. The next morning, as he 
rode down to business, that 'sweet face at the window' 
greeted him, more radiant than ever, but at the same time 
more puzzling ; for mingling with the ripple of her smile, there 
was something that looked like triumph on her face. At all 
events, from the first hour of their meeting a capital flirtation 
was kept up on her part, although her victim was in down- 
right earnest, and deeply in love. 

" With all the ardor of Eomeo, he sought to win her love ; 
to turn her from the lightness and frivolity of coquetting, do 
the more womanly aspirations of home and marriage, and to 
penetrate the veil of mystery and doubt in which she seemed 
enfolded, and into which she plunged herself the more closely 
if followed. But all to no purpose. "Weeks and months 
passed away, and she seemed to be enjoying her new sensa- 
tion hugely. Drives through the park, excursions to the 
suburbs, balls, operas, theatres, all, all in the same mode, and 
all seemingly looked upon as the adjuncts of a splendil 
flirtation. 

" At last he awoke from the spell she had cast so bewitch- 
mgly around him, and openly accused her of trifling with his 
affections, and of caring nothing whatever for him beyond 



468 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

the part lie acted as beau and cavalier, which part he had 
become tired of acting. To this she plead not guilty in such 
eloquent terms, bringing to her aid a woman's most powerful 
auxiliaries, her tears, that the poor dupe repented of his accu- 
sations, and was ready to fall upon his knees and crave her 
pardon. 

" She loved him, she said, but why should either of them 
rush madly and blindly into matrimony, without considering 
or knowing each other ? How could either of them be sure 
that their present love would continue beyond a honeymoon ? 
In this way she paved the road for another six months' flir- 
tation, during the continuation of which she managed to con- 
ceal her identity as effectively as ever. 

" But there came a time when the mask fell, and the veil 
was rent in twain. A gentleman waited upon him one eve- 
ning, an entire stranger, having in his hand a small box, 
which he placed upon the table, and accepted a seat with 
coldness and importance. He was, he said, and perhaps un- 
fortunately, the husband of the young woman to whom our 
friend had been paying his attentions for quite a time, and, as 
he had been convinced that he was acting innocently and in 
the dark, he had come to make an explanation. 

" The poor fellow attempted to speak, but some emotion 
choked his utterance, and he reseated himself in the chair 
from which he had arisen. The man went on to state that 
he had become acquainted with his wife in a similar way to 
the one which had brought them together; that he had 
married her, and had been compelled to witness the continua- 
tion of her flirtations, and acknowledged that our friend was 
not the only one with whom she was maintaining such rela- 
tions even then. He then coolly opened the box and handed 



THE SECEETS 'OF THE GREAT CITY. 469 

him back the various presents he had bestowed upon his 
wife, after which he retired as politely as possible. 

"The lover was cured. He patronizes another line of 
horse cars, and to this day never allows himself to be led 
into another flirtation, however attractive may be a ' sweet 
face at the window.' " 



CHAPTER LX1. 

SOLDIER MINSTRELS. 

You may see at certain points on Broadwaj , maimed and 
battered veterans, sitting through the whole day grinding a 
hand-organ for a living. These men have heard sterner 
music than that by which they earn their scanty subsistence, 
and have participated in a nobler struggle for life. 

THE STORY OF A PATRIOT. 

In the spring of 1861, there went through the States of 
the Union a cry that had never been heard in them before. 
It was the thrilling appeal of the Union for aid against its 
foes. How it was answered, how thousands of warriors 
started forth at the call, all men know. 

Among those who responded to this call, was a young man 
just entering upon the great drama of life. He had worked 
hard during his boyhood, and was at this time one of the 
most promising and skilful mechanics in one of our eastern 
cities. It was a great sacrifice for him to abandon all the 
bright prospects before him ; but the love of country was 
warm in his breast, and he made the sacrifice cheerfully. 

John "Williams saw his first active service in the numerous 
outpost and picket encounters, which marked the autumn and 
winter of 1861, while the army under General McClellan was 
organizing on the banks of the Potomac. There he dis- 
tinguished himself by his firmness and vigilance, as well as 
by his unfaltering courage. 
470 




THE SOLDIER MINSTREL 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 471 

When the campaign of the Peninsula began, he was with 
the advance of the army, and participated in the great recon- 
noisance of the 5th and 6th of April, 1862. At Williams- 
burg he was wounded in the arm, and did not return to the 
army until the great battles of 'the seven days' had com- 
menced. He bore himself bravely through the whole of this 
trying time, and came out of the fights unhurt. 

During the retreat through White Oak Swamp, it was 
necessary to destroy a small foot-bridge over a little water- 
course. The enemy were pressing on behind, and the task of 
demolishing the bridge was one of great clanger. General 
Sumner, seeing the condition of affairs, called for one volun- 
teer to cut away the log that still supported the structure. 
John Williams sprang forward, and, seizing the axe which 
was held out to him, dashed towards the bridge. In another 
instant his heavy blows were falling on the log, sending its 
chips right and left. He had scarcely begun when the 
enemy's skirmishers appeared on the other side of the stream. 
Seeing him thus engaged, they opened a rapid fire upon him. 
The balls flew all around him, two went through his hat, and 
his comrades looked every moment for his death. But he 
did not shrink from his post. He only brought the axe 
down heavier and faster upon the log*. A minute of painful 
suspense to his friends went by, and then the bridge fell, with 
a crash, into the stream. Waving his cap triumphantly, the 
brave fellow rejoined his company. For this gallant deed 
Private Williams was, at General Sumner's special request, 
made a corporal. 

From Harrison's Landing he went with the army to the 
Potomac again, and followed McClellan to South Mountain 
and Antietam. Here his conduct again drew upon him the 
notice of his officers ; and when the army lay at Harper's 



472 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Ferry, preparatory to its advance into "Virginia, lie received 
his sergeant's warrant, and a flattering note from General 
Sumner, who, although wounded himself, had not forgotten 
him. 

He was at Fredericksburg, and there lost his left arm. 
It was a severe trial to him, for in the trade to which he had 
been trained, and to which he hoped to return at the close 
of the war, both arms were necessary. Nevertheless, he bore 
up against everything, and submitted to his long and painful 
suffering as only a brave man can. When the wound was 
healed, he went back to his command. He had no idea of 
claiming his discharge for the loss of only one arm. He said, 
cheerfully, he would only leave the service when the other 
arm, or a leg, went from him. 

He was well enough to participate in the battle of Chan- 
cellorsville, but not sufficiently restored to health to meet the 
fate which there befell him, for, toward the close of the 
second day's engagement, he was taken prisoner. A few 
days later he was marched to Eichmond, and there became 
an inmate of the famous ' Libby prison.' A dreary attack 
of sickness followed his arrival there, and lasted several 
months. 

Hospital life, even among one's own friends, is not 
pleasant. To a prisoner, among his enemies, even though 
they be kind and humane, it is horrible. He is constantly 
haunted by the fear that he will die there, and that his fate 
will never be known to his friends at home. So, in spite of 
the bravery of Sergeant Williams, this feeling constantly 
preyed upon him and retarded his recovery. 

The weeks and months went by slowly, and at last the 
long imprisonment came to an end. The sick man was sent 
Dack to the North, among a number of others, who were ex- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 473 

changed under a special arrangement. A furlough was 
granted him to go home and recruit his health. He was so 
weak and thin when he went back to his old home, that his 
friends scarcely knew him. But his native air, and the 
cheerful home scenes, soon brought him up again, and when 
he returned to his regiment, he was as well and as hearty as 
ever. He reached the army just after Grant had taken com- 
mand of it, and was reorganizing it for the last grand cam- 
paign against Eichmond. 

He began the march with a light heart and happy antici- 
pations. They were cut short at Cold Harbor, where he lost 
his right leg. His days of service were now over, and he 
went into the hospital to await his recovery, when he would 
have to go back to the world unfitted for almost any avoca- 
tion. Still he consoled himself with the hope that the people 
for whom he had fought and suffered, would not let him lack 
for some means of employment. 

When he was able to leave the hospital, the war had 
been decided, and the great struggle was over. He received 
his honorable discharge from the government, and transpor- 
tation to the city where he had enlisted. After a brief rest, 
he set about looking for employment. 

It was a harder task than he had anticipated. No one 
had anything for him to do. ' Times were so dull,' ' there 
was so little to do,' that no one could think of employing 
him. In vain he urged his services to the country ana for 
them. They were very sorry for him. They would help 
him if they could ; but really it was impossible. 

Every day his small stock of money grew smaller, and 
with it his hopes grew fainter. At last he disappeared from 
the notice of his friends, to re-appear again in a short time 
under different circumstances. 



474 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

One day his friends were attracted by the sight of a crowd 
collected around a cracked and ricketty hand-organ. Ap- 
proaching it they found that the organ-grinder was no less a 
person than Sergeant Williams. He was clad in his suit of 
faded blue, with his sergeant's chevrons and all. He was 
grinding away at his old hand-organ as the last means left 
him for support. Every day he may be seen along the prin- 
cipal streets of the city, patiently and sadly earning his pit- 
tance in this way — a mode so very repugnant to one's man- 
hood. 

This is the end and reward of his services and sufferings. 
In a land so prosperous, so favored as our own, a soldier of 
the Union, in his garb of honor, who has given for his 
country everything but his life, is forced to resort to an avo- 
cation formerly considered only fit for vagrants. It is no 
discredit to him, for he bears himself there as proudly as he 
did when following the old flag ; but there is a bitter, burn- 
ing sense of wrong in his heart. Perhaps you may know, 
dear reader, who is responsible for it." 



CHAPTER LXII. 

THE ABATTOIRS. 

Formerly the city was much injured and rendered un- 
healthy, by the practice of killing animals for market in the 
crowded sections. In the summer these slaughtering estab- 
lishments were perfect pesthouses. Now the slaughtering is 
done almost entirely at the abattoirs, or slaughter houses, at 
Communipaw, New Jersey. The buildings used for this 
purpose are large, and are fitted up with every convenience. 
The cost of killing is slight, and the butchers are well repaid 
by having their meat sent to them in excellent condition. 
The abattoirs are situated on the shore of the bay, where the 
pure sea breezes keep them fresh and healthful, and the refuse 
matter and filth are thrown into the water and carried off by 
the tide. 

The mode of slaughtering is by machinery, ass far as pos 
sible, and is a great improvement on the old method. "Any 
one who has witnessed the slaughtering of animals in our 
small butcher shops could not fail noticing that more brutality 
was used upon the creatures than was necessary to secure 
death. According to methods which were formerly general 
in their application, and now are by no means exceptions to 
the practice, beeves were killed with heavy hammers, the 
butcher pegging away upon their heads until insensibility 
ensued ; and sheep and hogs were either pounded to death 
or see- sawed across the throat until their heads were nearly 
severed from their bodies. When the bodies were shipped 

475 



476 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

for market, much difficulty was found in effecting a ready 
sale, on account of their bruised and bloodless appearance. 
The system by which the work is performed at the abattoirs 
is as humane and painless to the animal as the taking of life 
can be ; and as a large portion of the business is done by 
machinery, the bodies are not subject to contusions, and, con- 
sequently, present a fresh, healthy appearance after death. 
To show the superiority of the new system over the old 
method of slaughtering was the object of our former illus- 
trations. Upon recent observation, we found that where the 
average weekly number of cattle killed, dressed, and shipped 
was about fifteen hundred, that of hogs was nearly ten times 
as great, and we now give a faithful representation of this 
portion of the work. 

" The apartment in which hogs are slaughtered is upon the 
second floor of the building, and our first scene is that of the 
pen into which the animals are driven from their quarters. 
A chain clasp, patented by Mr. P. W. Dalton, who superin- 
tends this department, is fastened to one of the hind legs, and 
this being attached to a rope connected with a huge wheel, 
the hog is raised from the floor and swung to a stand, where 
a ring of the clasp is caught on a large hook depending from 
the axle of a sheave or wheel, which runs along a railway, 
and the hog is pushed through a small passage-way into a 
second pen. 

" By the time it has reached this place, its excitement has 
subsided, and it hangs in a comparatively quiet manner. 
The butcher watches a fitting opportunity, and cuts the hog's 
throat with a sharp knife, and swings it further along on the 
railway. 

" As soon as each sheave is used the hogs are lowered 
into the scalding-tub, which is about fourteen feet long, four 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 477 

feet wide, and three and a half feet deep. Thej are allowed 
to remain in boiling water one minute, and are then turned 
out upon the scraping-bench by an instrument extending 
across the tub, and furnished with several long teeth. At 
this bench are about fourteen men, each of whom has some- 
thing to do on every hog that is sent down. The first two 
on each side, technically known as scuddlers, scrape the 
bristles from the head and shoulders ; the next four shave, 
with long knives, the remainder of the body, and roll it to 
the end of the bench, where a final scraping takes place ; a 
gambrel is inserted in the hind legs, and the hog is forwarded 
on a sheave to the dressers' table. 

" For this work there are several men, each one having a 
special portion assigned to him. As soon as the entrails 
have been removed, and the body properly cleansed, it is re- 
moved to the drying apartment, where it remains suspended 
on parallel ' runs ' until the following day, when it is 
weighed, and then delivered to the wagons from windows, 
by means of shoots. The entrails, and other portions re- 
moved from the bodies, are taken to another part of the 
building, where a most extensive and complete lard manufac- 
tory is in constant operation. 

" Here are eight monster iron caldrons, into which the raw 
material is thrown ; a powerful current of steam is introduced 
from beneath, and the fat is rapidly reduced to a liquid state. 
It is then run off" into smaller vats, where it remains to settle 
and cool sufficiently to be packed for shipping. During the 
busy season one hundred and twenty tierces of pure lard and 
forty tierces of soap grease are drawn off daily. The sedi- 
ment at the bottom of the vats is removed, and assists in fill- 
ing up the Hackensack river. 

" With all the hurry and confusion incident to the immense 



478 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

amount of work done, it is remarkable how the building 
can be kept in so inoffensive a condition, and all the labor 
performed in such a quiet and orderly manner. The most 
scrupulous cleanliness is observed in every department, and 
the ventilation is perfect." 



CHAPTER LXIII. 

THE MORGUE. 

There is located on the East river side of the great city, 
an establishment which has been but lately introduced. It 
is the Morgue, or Dead House, and is modelled after the 
famous place of the same name in Paris. Bodies found in 
the streets, or in the harbor, are brought here and left a cer- 
tain time for identification. Each article of clothing found 
upon them, or any trinket, or other property, which might 
lead to the discovery of the name and friends of the dead, is 
carefully preserved. Bodies properly identified are sur- 
rendered to the friends of the deceased. Those unclaimed 
are interred at the expense of the city, and their effects are 
preserved a much longer time for purposes of identification. 

It is a gloomy looking building, this Morgue, and it is 
rarely empty. In a dark, cheerless room, with a stone floor, 
there are rows of marble slabs supported by iron frames. 
Over each one of these is a water jet. Stretched on these 
cold beds, are lifeless forms, entirely covered with a sheet 
except as to their faces, which stare blankly at the dark ceil- 
ing. A constant stream of fresh water falls on the lifeless 
breasts, and trickles over the senseless forms, warding off 
decay to the latest moment, in the vain hope that some one 
to whom the dead man or woman was dear in life may come 
and claim the body. It is a vain hope, for but a few bodies 
are claimed. Nearly all go to the potter's field, where they 

sleep well in their nameless graves. 

479 



480 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

The dark waters of the rivers and bay send many an in- 
mate to this gloomy room. The harbor police, making their 
early morning rounds, find some dark object floating in the 
waters. It is scarcely light enough to distinguish it, but the 
men know well what it is. They are accustomed to such 
things. They grapple it and tow it in silent horror past the 
long lines of shipping, and pause only when the Morgue 
looms up coldly before them in the uncertain light of the 
breaking day. The still form is lifted out of the water, and 
carried swiftly into the gloomy building. It is laid on the 
marble slab, stripped, covered with a sheet, the water is 
turned on, and the room is deserted and silent again. Shall 
we tell you the story, reader, of this unfortunate man. 

Step back with us, and look at the face lying so cold and 
white under the trickling water. It is that of a young man; 
there is a deep gash in the forehead, and the sheet over the 
breast is stained with blood. 

Only two days ago this young man, in high health, and 
full of life and spirits, left his home in a neighboring State 
for a visit to the great city. A mother's blessing and a 
sister's kiss hallowed his departure, and even his faithful dog 
seemed loth to part from him. He laughed at the fears of 
his dear ones, and gayly promised a speedy and safe return * 
He reached the city, and his business was soon transacted. 
He had heard much in his country home of the dangers to 
which unsophisticated strangers were apt to fall in the Me- 
tropolis, but he had laughed at the idea of his being so silly 
as to allow himself to be treated so. He would take just 



* The reader will find this story told with inimitable fidelity in our 
Illuminated title page, the scenes embodied in that engraving explain 
themselves, and convey no uncertain warning. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 481 

one glance at the shady side of city life, to satisfy his 
curiosity, and have something to talk about at home, and 
would then start on his return. He would merely be a 
looker on. 

A gaudy transparency in front of a cellar caught his eye, 
and invited him to come and enjoy the hospitalities of 

Madame X 's Yarieties. An inward voice bade him 

shun the place, but as he was only going for curiosity, he 
silenced the faithful monitor, and boldly entered. He would 
not have liked to have any friend see him there, and he en 
terecl the hall timidly. Not knowing what else to do, he 
seated himself at a neighboring table. The room was full 
of girls, whose very appearance made him blush for shame, 
and with men who eyed him with no friendly looks. In a 
moment, two girls came and seated themselves beside him, 
and bade him " be sociable." Not wishing to appear " ver- 
dant," the young man, whose rusticity was evident to every 
one in the room, threw off his timidity, and boldly ordered 
liquor. He drank deeply, to keep up his courage, and, de- 
termining to " have his fun out," commenced a lively con- 
versation with the girls. A man and a woman soon sought 
the same table, and the party became the very merriest in 
the room. The young man, who had come only through 
curiosity, was determined to enjoy himself. At a late hour, 
he left the hall, with just enough of reason remaining to 
know what he was doing. As he reached the street he was 
joined by two men, who had followed him from the saloon. 
Accosting him, they told him they were glad he had left the 
hall. 

" "Why ?" he asked in surprise. 

"Because," he answered, "those girls you were with had 
laid a plan to make you drunk, and rob you. They know 
30 



482 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

you are a stranger in the city, and they are after your 
money." 

The young man's liquor had robbed him of his discretion, 
and he answered, thickly, that he had over two hundred dol- 
lars with him, that he had collected that day. A look of in- 
telligence passed between the two men. One of them asked 
the young man if he would not go into a neighboring bar- 
room and drink with them. He muttered something about 
wanting to go to his hotel, but they assured him that, after a 
friendly drink, they would take him there. He went with 
them. Glasses were filled and drained, and the young man 
was in high spirits with his new friends. If the bar-keeper 
suspected anything, he held his peace. 1 

The three men then left the " Gin palace " together, and 
the young man, relying upon their promise to conduct him 
to his hotel, went with them without suspicion. They led 
him down dark, crooked streets, assuring him that he was 
almost at his lodgings. The air grew fresher and fresher, 
and at last the low ripple of the waves was heard as they 
dashed in upon the shore. A momentary ray of prudence 
flashed through the drunken helplessness of the doomed man, 
and, alarmed by the strangeness of the scene and the sight 
of the river, he stopped short, and declared he would go no 
farther. 

His prudence came too late. In an instant, he was felled 
to the ground by a heavy blow from one of his companions. 
At the same moment, they were joined by two other men, 
who came up so suddenly that they almost seemed to spring 
out of the darkness. A handkerchief was tied tightly over 
the victim's mouth, and, catching him up in their arms, the 
four men bore him rapidly out to the end of one of the most 
deserted piers. The sense of his danger roused the poor fel- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 483 

(ow from his drunken stupor, and almost sobered him. He 
struggled violently to free himself from his assassins, but 
they held him down with grips of iron. A heavy blow on 
the forehead from a " billy," rendered him senseless, and a 
well-aimed knife-thrust sent him into eternity. The mur- 
derers, accustomed to such work, quickly rifled his pockets 
of money, watch, and other valuables. Then there was a 
heavy splash in the dark water, and the secret was confided 
to the keeping of the silent stars. 

The harbor police found the body, as we have described, 
and conveyed it to the Morgue. 

Weary with waiting and watching, the friends of the 
young man will come hurriedly to the city, and the police 
authorities, who know well where to look for such missing 
ones, will take them to the Morgue, where their lost darling 
lies waiting for them. 

Young man, if curiosity tempts you to seek to penetrate 
the secrets of the great city, remember that you may learn 
them only to your cost. 



CHAPTER LXIY. 

THE OLDEST MAN IN NEW YORK. 

Strangers visiting the Church of the Ascension, in New 
York, cannot fail to notice -the presence of an old gentleman, 
who occupies an arm-chair immediately in front of the chan- 
cel, in the middle aisle, and who gives the responses to the 
service in a very loud and distinct manner. This is, perhaps, 
the oldest man of the entire million of New York city in- 
habitants. It is Captain Lahrbush, formerly of the British 
army, but for the last twenty years a New York resident. 
He was born in London, on the 9th of March, 1765. It is 
not extravagant to say, that his life has been more remarka- 
ble, embracing more various and extraordinary experiences, 
than that of any one now living, in any quarter of the globe. 
He entered the military service of Great Britain, October 17, 
1789, and fought, under the Duke of York, with the Sixtieth 
"Rifles, in Holland, in the campaign of 1793. Five years 
later, he was present when Humbert surrendered to Lord 
Cornwallis, at Pallinauck, in Ireland. In 1801, he was with 
Lord Nelson at the taking of Copenhagen. In 1806-7, he 
was an attache' of the suite of Lord Castlereagh, at Vienna ; 
and on the 22d of June, of the latter year, he witnessed the 
memorable interview between Napoleon and Alexander, at 
Tilsit. During the next two years, he was with the Duke of 
Wellington, in the Spanish peninsula, and was knighted at 
Talavera, having received promotion for distinguished gal- 
lantry at Busaco. In the year 1811, he was sent to the Cape 
484 



THE SECRETS OF THE GEEAT CITY. 485 

of Good Hope, and bore a prominent part in the Caffre war 
of 1813. When Napoleon was imprisoned at St. Helena, 
Captain Lahrbush was charged with his personal custody, as 
commander of the guard, a delicate and responsible duty, 
which he performed for the greater part of 1816-17. The 
following year, wearying of the military profession, he sold 
his commission in the Sixtieth Rifles, and retired to private 
life, but subsequently went to Australia, in the capacity of 
superintendent of a convict station at Cathure ; and in 1837, 
at the age of seventy-one, removed to Tahiti. From this 
point he made many voyages, to the East Indies, to China, 
and to different parts of South America. In 18-12, in con- 
sequence of having taken sides with the Protestant mis- 
sionaries against the Roman Catholic propaganda, he was 
forcibly removed from Tahiti to France, and took occasion 
of this removal to travel on the continent. In 1847, when 
eighty-one years of age, he undertook the management of 
Lord Howard de Welden's estate, in the Island of Jamaica ; 
and, in 1848, came with his widowed daughter and grandson 
to New York. Both mother and child died soon after their 
arrival, leaving him, at his advanced age, lonely indeed. But 
the old man has lived on, to the present moment, in the en- 
joyment of unimpaired, and a truly wonderful degree of 
bodily health. In 1867, he celebrated his one hundred and 
first birthday, at a breakfast in the house of an eminent gen- 
tleman of New York, where many officers and citizens were 
invited to meet him. His appearance is that of a hale man, 
and, as seen in church, he looks the junior of many others in 
the congregation. The most surprising fact connected with 
the old gentleman's prolonged life, is, that for many years he 
was in the habit of taking seventy-five grains of opium — 
and, on one occasion, he took one hundred and fifty grains 



486 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

in a dose. Though he has long abandoned the use of the 
drug, he feels certain he could drink half a pint of lauda- 
num with impunity. Captain Lahrbush is said to retain, 
with surprising freshness, the scenes and events of some of 
the grandest and most imposing of modern history of which 
he has been the eye-witness. He speaks of Blucher as having 
been very good company, but a heavy drinker, who swore 
terribly at Napoleon. Louisa, the Queen of Prussia, he 
thought the handsomest woman of her time, and Alexander, 
of Eussia, the most elegant-looking man in Europe. As for 
Napoleon, whose face he had an abundant opportunity to 
study, he declares that no likeness that was ever taken of 
him, conveys the proper : dea of his features and their ex- 
pression. The closest resemblance, he says, is that of the 
coins of the empire, especially the profile upon the five franc 
pieces. 



CHAPTER LXV. 

DIVORCE LAWYERS. 

In any issue of certain city newspapers, you will see such 
advertisements as the following : 

" Absolute divorces legally obtained, in New York, and States wheie 
desertion, drunkenness, etc., etc., are sufficient cause. !No publicity ; 

no charge until divorce obtained ; advice free. M — B , attorney, 

56 street." 

The persons so advertising are called divorce lawyers. 
They make a specialty of putting asunder " those whom God 
hath joined together." 

The laws of New York specify but one ground for a com- 
plete divorce, adultery ; but in spite of this these lawyers 
encourage persons to apply for a sundering of their matri- 
monial bonds. 

A man or woman, wishing to get rid of his or her partner, 

applies to one of these lawyers, and a bargain is drawn up 

signed and sealed, pledging the payment of a good round fee 

in case a divorce is obtained. The first step on the part of 

the lawyer is to obtain a thorough knowledge of the habits 

and movements of the person against whom the proceedings 

are directed. Private detectives, who also make a specialty 

of this kind of business, are set to watch the wife or husband. 

Every movement is observed, and every act tortured into 

meaning something unlawful. Sometimes a trap is laid in 

which the person is led and caught. Or, if evidence of a 

truthful nature cannot be procured, it is manufactured for a 

given price. 

487 



488 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

When everything is ready, a suit is brought in the proper 
Court. Charges are made against the fidelity of the party 
from whom the separation is desired. These charges may 
"be true or false. If true, they are the result of the system 
of espionage carried on by the private detectives. If false, 
they are sustained by the testimony of suborned witnesses. 
It is the custom of the Courts not to try these applications 
openly, but to refer them to some lawyer of ability, who 
hears the evidence in chambers, and reports the result to the 
Court, with a recommendation either in favor of or against 
the divorce. 

Lawyers of ability are not always men of integrity. It is 
owing to this fact, doubtless, that the referee generally reports 
in favor of the divorce, which the Court grants upon the 
strength of this report. However this may be, there is no 
doubt of the fact that divorces may be easily obtained by 
those who are willing to pay for them. There are many 
secret methods of procedure known only to the initiated, 
but there can be no doubt of the fact that justice has become 
so corrupt, in both this city and State, that its acts have lost 
that moral force which is so necessary to the national pros- 
perity. Men of wealth can accomplish anything, and are 
sure of success from the moment their causes are presented 
in the Courts, while those who have not the means to pay 
for their freedom must remain yoked to their partners until 
death Darts them. 



CHAPTER LXYI. 

PAWNBROKERS. 

The sign of the three gilt balls is very common in the 
Great City, and where the ancient badge of the pawnbroker 
is not seen, the words " Exchange Office " answer the same 
purpose. The law recognizes the fact that in all large com- 
munities, these dealers are a necessary evil, and while tolera- 
ting them as such, endeavors to interpose a safeguard in 
behalf of the community, by requiring that none but persons 
of good character and integrity shall exercise the calling. In 
New York, the Mayor alone has the power of licensing them, 
and revoking their licenses, and none but those so licensed 
can conduct their business in the city. "But Mayors of all 
cliques and parties have exercised this power with, apparently, 
little sense of the responsibility which rests upon them. They 
have not, ordinarily at least, required clear proof of the in- 
tegrity of the applicants ; but have usually licensed every 
applicant possessed- of political influence. There is scarcely 
any instance where they have revoked a license thus granted, 
even when they have been furnished with proofs of the dis- 
honesty of the holders."* 

As a consequence, the pawnbrokers of the city are, with 
a few exceptions, a most rascally set. They are little more 
than receivers of stolen goods. The police frequently trace 
stolen property to them. Upon one occasion a whole basket 
of watches was found in one of these establishments. An- 



* Report of the Prison Association. 

489 



490 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

other possessed a diamond worth over seven hundred dollars, 
which had been pawned for two dollars and a half. It had 
been stolen by a servant girl. 

Goods taken to these men are received by them without 
question. They advance a fraction of the value of the article 
which is to be redeemed at a certain time at a high rate of 
interest. If not redeemed, the article is sold. Some of these 
dealers do not wait for the expiration of the time when an 
article of value is concerned, but sell it at once, and flatly 
deny ever having received it. The rate at which all articles 
are taken is sufficiently low to render it certain that the sale 
of it will more than cover the advance. 

The principal customers of these men are the poor. 
Persons of former respectability or wealth, widows and 
orphans, are always sure to carry with them into their 
poverty some of the trinkets that were theirs in the heyday 
of prosperity. These articles go one by one to buy bread. 
The pawnbroker advances not more than a twentieth part of 
their value, and haggles over that. He knows full well that 
the pledges will never be redeemed, that these unhappy 
creatures must grow less able every day to recover them. 
Jewelry, clothing, ornaments of all kinds, and even the 
wedding ring of the wife and mother, come to him one by 
one, never to be regained by their owners. He takes them 
at a mere pittance, and sells them at a profit of several 
hundred per cent. 

You may see the poor pass into the doors of these shops 
every day. The saddest faces we ever saw were those of 
women coming away from them. Want leaves its victims 
no choice, but drives them mercilessly into the clutches of 
the pawnbroker. 

The majority of the articles pawned are forced there by 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 491 

want, undoubtedly, but very many of them go to buy drink. 
Women are driven by brutal husbands to this course, and 
there are wretches who will absolutely steal the clothing 
from their shivering wives and little ones, and with them 
procure the means of buying gin. God help them all, the 
sinner and the sinned against. 

DIAMOND BROKERS. 

The best class of pawnbrokers lend money only on such 
securities as jewels. These are known as diamond brokers, 
and of course are patronized only by the upper classes, both 
respectable and disreputable. 

" ' The tricks in trade,' practiced in connection with gems 
and precious stones, are almost infinite in variety, and the 
shifts of individuals, who are as extravagant personally as 
they are needy pecuniarily, to obtain them, are really wonder- 
ful in ingenuity and impudence. 

" To illustrate by a case in point : A diamond broker, whose 
office is located on the central portion of Broadway, was re- 
cently visited by a remarkably handsome and elegantly attired 
young lady, who at once entered upon business in a straight- 
forward style, which greatly impressed the broker in her fa- 
vor, he being a thorough business man himself. She wished 
to negotiate for a loan upon some diamonds in the possession, 
at that moment, of 'a Safe Deposit Co.,' where he could 
obtain a view of them, if the preliminaries to this step were 
satisfactorily arranged. These 'preliminaries' consisted in 
information as to the amount of money the broker could at 
once advance, what rate of interest he would charge, how and 
when payments were to be made, etc., etc. These matters 
were pleasantly and precisely settled by a conversation of 
some ten minutes, during which the lady looked at and ex- 



492 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

amine*!, merely with a natural feminine curiosity, a number of 
precious stones, pearls, etc., which were displayed in the bro- 
ker's cases for sale or show purposes. At last the lady rose 
to depart, appointing the hour of eleven the next morning as 
the time for their next meeting, when the lady would exhibit 
to the broker her diamonds, upon which, if they were as 
valuable as she represented, she was to obtain the agreed 
upon amount of money, on the terms already arranged. 

" As she rose to leave, however, the quick eye of the broker 
noticed that a valuable pearl was missing, and at once he 
' made up his mind ' as to the true character of his fair visitor, 
and the whereabouts of the missing pearl. He rushed to the 
door, barred the ' lady's ' exit, and said, quietly but firmly, 
'You have a pearl about your person which does not belong 
to you — restore it.' The lady assumed the looks and atti- 
tudes of the most virtuous and violent indignation, but in 
vain. The broker was inexorable and still barred the door 
of departure. ' You have been too light-fingered for me, I 
confess, madam. You are an accomplished woman, and have 
thrown me off my guard, but I must have my pearl, never- 
theless.' 

" The lady still protested ; the broker still persisted ; finally 
the former, with a mingled aspect of wounded modesty and 
triumphant innocence, said : • Sir, you may search my person 
if you like, and convince yourself of your gross mistake, but 
remember that you shall bitterly atone this outrage to which 
I am now forced to submit.' Without further parley the 
broker took the lady at her word, and searched her person — ■ 
delicately or indelicately as you are disposed to regard it — 
but thoroughly, certainly. No pearl was found, and the lady, 
imagining her innocence to be hereby established, expected 
to find the broker overwhelmed with tonfusion ; but, on the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY, 493 

contrary, the gentleman referred to simply handed ihe woman 
a bottle, and coolly and firmly commanded her to drink 
therefrom. 'And wherefore should I drink ? ' asked the as- 
tonished woman. ' Because it is an emetic,' was the broker's 
reply. ' And what has the fact of this bottle containing an 
emetic to do with my swallowing its contents ? ' inquired the 
lady. ' Why, everything, answered her involuntary host, 
quietly ; ' you have swallowed my pearl, and this, being a 
powerful emetic, will compel you to disgorge it. Comu now, 
no nonsense, madam,' (still more quietly and still more firmly,) 
' or you will compel me to communicate with the police.' 
The word police, that magically terrible word to the evil-doei, 
terminated the dialogue. The woman (who proved to be an 
adventuress of the most ' fashionable ' order, whose very pro- 
fessional existence depended upon the ' secresy ' in which she 
' operated,') was alarmed by the threat of publicity, and the 
criminal court, swallowed the emetic, and — need we say more 
than that the broker recovered his pearl, and the ' lady ' left 
New York for a period. 



CHAPTER LXVII. 

THE MAEKETS. 

Two thirds of the people of New York deal with. " corner 
groceries " and " provision stores," consequently there are 
very few markets in the city; The principal are the Fulton 
Market on East Eiver, at the foot of Fulton street; the 
Washington, at the end of Fulton street, on North Eiver ; the 
Jefferson, at the corner of Sixth and Greenwich Avenues; and 
the Tompkins Market, opposite the Cooper Institute. The 
Washington Market is more of a wholesale than a retail 
establishment, as is also the Fulton Market. The supplies of 
meat, fish, and vegetables brought to the city, are originally 
sent to the wholesale dealers at these markets, to be sold on 
commission. The dealers will frequently go into the country 
and engage a truckman's entire crop of vegetables or fruits, 
and then retail them out to the city dealers at their own 
prices. 

The streets in the vicinity of the markets on the two rivers 
are always dirty and crowded. The buildings themselves 
are outwardly dirty and uninviting. The interior, however, 
presents a sight worth witnessing. In .the spring and sum- 
mer it is filled with the most tempting displays of fruit and 
vegetables. One can hardly imagine that all this immense 
quantity will be eaten, but it does not require more than a 
day to get rid of the whole display. Fruits are high in the 
city and sell readily. The market is never overstocked. 
The same may be said of vegetables. Good vegetables are 
always in demand. All such things have to be brought so 
494 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 495 

far to market, that by the time they reach the consumer's 
kitchen they are almost half-decayed. Those who can fur- 
nish pure fresh vegetables, or animal food, are always sure 
of doing a profitable business in the city. 

Almost anything can be found in the Fulton Market. 
There are all kinds of provisions, eating-stands abound, bar- 
rooms are located in the cellars, cheap finery is to be seen in 
the stalls, books, newspapers, and periodicals are to be had 
at prices lower than those of the regular stores, ice creams, 
confections, and even hardware and dry goods are sold in the 
booths. The oysters sold here have a world-wide reputation. 
Dorian's oyster-house is the most popular. It is a plain, 
rough-looking room, but it is patronized by the best people 
in the city, for the wares sold here are famous. Ladies in 
full street dress, and young bloods in all their finery, come 
here to eat one of the proprietor's splendid stews. 

Dorian began business in New York more than thirty years 
ago, and has made a handsome fortune. He has done so by 
keeping the very best goods in the market. He is one of 
the best-known men in the city, and is deservedly popular. 
He is conscientious and upright in the minutest particular, 
and gives his personal attention to every detail of his busi- 
ness. Although wealthy to-day, he may be seen at his stand, 
in his shirt-sleeves, superintending the operations of his es- 
tablishment, setting an excellent example to younger men 
who are seeking to rise in the world. 



CHAPTER LXVIII. 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

The public buildings of New York are many, and, as a 
general rule, handsome. They are widely scattered over the 
island, and our limits forbid more than a notice of the prin 
cipal structures. 

THE CITY HALL. 

This building is located in the Park, and is nearly opposite 
Murray street. It faces the south, and the ground line is 
perpendicular to Broadway. It is too small for the present 
uses of the city, having been built between the years 1803 
and 1810. The front and ends are of marble, but the rear 
is of brown stone. It is said that the city fathers, at the 
time of its erection, thinking that the town would never ex- 
tend beyond the lower line of the park, were anxious to 
save the additional cost of the marble at this side. 

The clock-tower, and upper portions of the building, were 
set on fire by the pyrotechnical display in honor of the 
Atlantic Telegraph of 1859. They were rebuilt soon after- 
wards, in much better style. 

" Previous to the completion of the new cupola, our city 
fathers contracted with Messrs. Sperry & Co., the celebrated 
tower -clock makers of Broadway, to build a clock for it, at 
a cost not exceeding four thousand dollars, that our citizens 
might place the utmost reliance upon, as a time-keeper of 
unvarying correctness. During the month of April the 
clock was completed, and the busy thousands who were 
496 



% 




THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 497 

daily wont to look up to the silent monitor, above which the 
figure of Justice was enthroned, hailed its appearance with 
the utmost satisfaction. It is undoubtedly the finest speci- 
men of a tower-clock on this side of the Atlantic, and, as an 
accurate time-keeper, competent judges pronounce it to be 
unsurpassed in the world. The main wheels are thirty 
inches in diameter, the escapement is jewelled, and the pen- 
dulum, which is in itself a curiosity, is over fourteen feet in 
length. It is a curious fact that the pendulum bob weighs 
over three hundred pounds ; but so finely finished is every 
wheel, pinion, and pivot in the clock, and so little power is 
required to drive them, that a weight of only one hundred 
pounds is all that is necessary to keep this ponderous mass 
of metal vibrating, and turn four pairs of hands on the dials 
of the cupola. The clock does not stand, as many suppose, 
directly behind the dials, but in the story below, and a per- 
pendicular iron rod, twenty -five feet in length, connects it 
with the dial-works above." 

The building contains the offices of the Mayor and city 
officials. 

In the rear of the City Hall is the new County Court 
House, which, when completed, will front on Chambers 
street, and constitute one of the handsomest edifices in the 
city. It is built of white marble. 

THE PARK BANK, 

Situated on Broadway, below Ann street, is a magnificent 
white marble edifice, ornamented with a profusion of statu- 
ary and carving. The bank-room is a model of beauty. 
The vaults are the most perfect and secure in the city. 

THE ASTOR LIBRARY, 

In Lafayette Place, is a substantial building of red brick, 
31 



498 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

The property, and the library, are the gift of John Jacob 
Astor to the trustees, for the benefit of the cause of educa- 
tion throughout the land. The interior is in keeping with 
the exterior. It is simple and elegant, and contains a col- 
lection of over one hundred thousand volumes, carefully and 
judiciously selected. It is free to all persons, on condition 
of good behavior and careful usage of the books. The 
officers are courteous and obliging, and every care is taken 
to make the institution meet the wishes of its founder. 

THE COOPER INSTITUTE, 
In Astor Place, is a handsome freestone building, devoted 
to science arid art. It occupies an entire block, and is the 
gift of Peter Cooper, Esq., to the public. It contains lecture 
rooms, rooms for experiments, free schools of science and art 
for the working classes, a reading room, and a library. The 
street floor and that above are rented out for stores and 
offices, and yield an annual income of from twenty-five to 
thirty thousand dollars. 

THE BIBLE HOUSE, 

Faces the Cooper Institute, and occupies a whole block, being 
bounded by Third and Fourth Avenues, and Eighth and 
Ninth streets. It is an immense structure, nearly triangular 
in form. It is the property of the American Bible Society. 
and was erected at a cost of three hundred thousand dollars. 
TJie revenue of the society is about five millions of dollars 
annually. Thousands of copies of the Bible are printed here 
annually, and sold or distributed in all parts of the world. 
The Bible has been printed here in twenty-four different dia- 
'ects, and parts of it have been issued in others still. 

About six hundred persons find employment in this 



jfaifa il;; mm 




THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 499 

gigantic establishment. Of these about three hundred are 
girls, and twenty or thirty boys. The girls feed the presses, 
sew the books, apply gold-leaf to the covers ready for tooling, 
etc. About a dozen little girls are employed in the press- 
room in laying the sheets, of the best description of Bibles, 
between glazed boards, and so preparing them for being 
placed in the hydraulic presses. Every day there are six 
thousand Bibles printed in this establishment, and three 
hundred and fifty turned out of hand completely bound and 
finished. The sheets of the Arabic Bible, which has been 
so long in preparation, are now exhibited to visitors, and 
elicit universal admiration, both on account of the peculiarity 
of the character, and the striking neatness and elegance 
which the work exhibits. A large edition of this translation 
has just been forwarded to Constantinople. Much of the 
mechanical portions of this admirable work has been exe 
cuted by children. They are fairly paid by the Society, and 
appear to be very happy and comfortable at their work. 

THE ACADEMY OF DESIGN, 

At the corner of Twenty-third street and Fourth Avenue, ih> 
one of the most beautiful edifices in the city. It is built in 
the pure Gothic style of the thirteenth century, and the ex- 
ternal walls are composed of variegated marble. It has an 
air of lightness and elegance, that at once elicit the admira 
tion of the gazer. The interior is finished with white pine, 
ash, mahogany, oak, and black walnut in their natural colors ; 
no paint being used in the building. Schools of art, a library, 
reading room, lecture room, and the necessary rooms for the 
business of the institution, occupy the first and second stories. 
The third floor is devoted to the gallery of paintings and the 
sculpture room. 



500 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITT. 

An annual exhibition is held during the winter months, 
when the public are admitted at a small charge. Only the 
works of living artists are exhibited. 

The hospitals and benevolent institutions of the city are 
numerous, and are conducted in a liberal manner. Visitors 
are admitted to all of them at stated times, and much instruc- 
tion and profit may be gained from an examination of the 
system upon which they are managed. 



CHAPTER LXIX. 

THE POST-OFFICE. 

The General Post-office of the city is located on Nassau 
street, between Cedar and Liberty streets. It was formerly 
the Middle Dutch Church, and was built long before the 
Revolution. It was in the old wooden steeple of this build- 
ing that Benjamin Franklin practiced those experiments 
in electricity, which have made his name immortal. When 
the British occupied the city, during the War for Independ- 
ence, they occupied this church for military purposes. The 
building was very greatly injured by the rough usage to 
which it was put, by its sacrilegious occupants. The pews 
and pulpit were broken up for firewood, and the building 
was used first as a prison, and then as a riding school. It 
was repaired in 1790, and again used for religious services. 
Some years later, it was purchased by the Government, and 
fitted up as a post-office. The growing business of the office 
has made it necessary to make so many additions to the 
structure, that it is hard at present to distinguish the original 
plan of the edifice The building is much too small to 
accommodate the business required to be transacted within 
its walls, and efforts are being made to secure the erection of 
a larger and handsomer building, at the lower end of the 
City Hall Park. It is supposed that the movement in this 
flirection will' be successful, though the Government would 
seem, by its delay in the matter, not to consider it a matter 

501 



502 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

of much importance to accommodate the citizens of the 
metropolis in this respect. 

The Post-office being situated so low down in the city, it 
has been found necessary to establish branches, called " Sta- 
tions," in the upper part of the island. They are distin- 
guished by the letters "A," " B," " 0," etc. Many persons 
receive and mail their correspondence here. The drop letter 
system places an immense amount of business in the hands 
of these stations. 

Street boxes, for letters, are scattered through the city. 
They are never more than a block or two apart, in any of the 
streets below Fifty-ninth street, and the distances are not 
very great in the other portions of the island. Letters 
dropped in these boxes are collected seven or eight times 
during the day. and there is a delivery of letters and papers 
by the postman every hour. These are left at the houses of 
the parties to whom they are addressed, without additional 
charge. The system is excellent, and is a great convenience 
to all classes of the population. 



CHAPTER LXX. 

THE PATTERERS. 

By this term we refer to the street vendors of the city, 
who hawk their wares through the public thoroughfares. 
A recent number of the Comhitt Magazine, of London, con- 
tains the following interesting description of this class : 

" As New York is the largest city in America, we natu- 
rally find more of this class there than anywhere else. It 
takes a long residence in the city to become familiar with 
them, for they vary with the season, and their occupations 
change according to circumstances. In many respects New 
York city resembles London or Paris. And so would any 
other town with a million of inhabitants, surrounded by a 
cluster of cities, which swell the united population to almost 
two millions. It may well be doubted if there is a city in 
Europe which presents so many strong characteristics as the 
American metropolis. The population of Manhattan Island 
is a mixture of all the peoples under the sun, fearfully and 
wonderfully jumbled together. About one thousand foreigners 
a day arrive in New York from all parts of the world, the 
year round. The resident American is always coming in 
contact with Spaniards, Germans, Irishmen, Frenchmen, 
Africans, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Mexicans, Scotchmen, 
Canadians, Englishmen, Arabs, Prussians, Swedes, and 
Italians. The Frenchman is as much at home as in his native 
Paris; the Scotchman hears the bagpipes in the City Hall 
Park, and sees the shepherd's dog at the Central Park ; the 

503 



504 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

Chinaman can find a whole street devoted to the selling of 
his teas, his native idols stare him in the face as advertise- 
ments before a Yankee shop door, and all the ladies on Broad- 
way are toying with, his fans ; the Irishman rules the city, and 
hoists his green flag upon the public buildings ; the African 
is the most important man in the crowd, and expects soon to 
colonize the whites in British America, or somewhere else, 
while the German has his sangerbunds and his schutzenfests 
and lager bier, and runs a halle and a boarding haus. Great 
is the mystery of New York. 

" But to the patterers. These are that large class of people 
who hawk their wares upon the street, or get a living at a 
stand. Some of them do a thriving trade, others barely eke 
out a miserable existence. Take them all in all, and they 
are a very curious class of people, interesting to study. A 
large number of them are women, from the oldest gray-haired 
grandmother, tottering on her cane, down to the young 
woman of sixteen. There are- numerous little girls struggling 
to get a living, too, from three years old upwards. The 
women always excite our pity, and we patronize them in 
preference to the men. 

" The women patterers are usually a very ugly-looking 
set, That is, they are not handsome. Most of them are 
Irishwomen, although we now and then see an Italian or 
German woman. We never saw more than two American 
women patterers in New York, and have no recollection of 
ever seeing a Jewess, a Scotch woman, or a Spanish woman. 
The women and girls sell flowers, newspapers, candy, tooth- 
picks, fruit, various kinds of food, turn hand-organs, sell 
songs, and beg. A woman never sells cigars or tobacco, and 
we have never seen one crying gentlemen's neckties. There 
is an old woman on Nassau street, not far from the General 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 505 

Post-office, who sits behind a stocking stall, covered with 
ladies' hose and gentlemen's socks, suspenders, mittens (the 
women always were fond of dealing in mittens) list slippers, 
yarns, and such stuff. So far as we know, this woman is an 
exception to her sex. 

" Yery few women patterers in New York cry their wares. 
There is one ancient dame in the vicinity of St. John's Park, 
who screeches ' straw-ab-berries" 1 in the spring time, following 
it up in the summer with ' blachberrie-e-e-s. 1 She seldom gets 
above Canal street, and always stays upon the west side of 
Broadway. Her voice has been familiar in that section of 
the city for the past five years, at least, and would be sadly 
missed if some day she should happen to get choked with one 
of her own berries, and, turning black in the face, be laid out 
on a bier of straw ready for burial. 

11 There is a very stout old lady who always sits by the 
City Hospital gate, on Broadway. She has been in that self- 
same spot, ever since before ' the late war,' and how much 
longer we know not. She is immensely stout, and must 
weigh at least two hundred pounds. Rain or shine, hot or 
cold, there she sits, with a little stand of newspapers before 
her — the Tribune, World, Herald, Times, and Sun. She only 
sells morning papers, and leaves when they are all sold. She 
always has her knitting- work, or sewing with her, and can 
often be seen making her own garments. Now and then she 
grows weary, the eyes close, the head falls forward, the mouth 
opens, the fingers stop, (still holding on to the knitting work,) 
and she dreams! What are her dreams? Possibly of a 
happy home in a distant land, a long time ago, when she was 
a little girl, and had a father to bless her, and a mother to 
love. A brace of omnibuses come thundering down the pave- 
ment, and she awakes. If people purchase papers of her 



506 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

while she is asleep they drop the pennies upon her stand, and 
pass on. This old body has a daughter who sells newspapers 
at a stand directly opposite, upon the other side of the street. 
The daughter is not as dutiful as she ought to be, and some- 
times there is a family jar upon the street, not at all to the 
edification of those who witness it. 

" One of the saddest sights in New York is that of a pale- 
faced, light-haired woman, middle-aged, who can frequently 
be seen sitting on a Broadway curbstone behind a small hand- 
organ, from which she grinds a plaintive tune, the notes of 
which are seldom heard above the thunder of the street. 
She always appears bareheaded, and with a small child in her 
lap. The little straw hat of the babe is put upon the top of 
the organ to catch the pennies and bits of scrip. We are 
glad to notice that many men remember her in passing. 

" City Hall Park, Printing-House Square, Bowery, and 
Nassau street, are the great centres for all kinds of patterers. 
Here women sell ice cream, lemonade, doughnuts, buns, 
tropical fruits, and sweetmeats. Bananas and pineapples are 
favorite fruits and all forms of chocolate candies are in great 
demand. Most of the women who attend stalls grow very 
stout, as they get little or no exercise. It is noticed that 
very few of them ever partake of the fruits or other edibles 
which they deal in. They always bring a lunch with them 
of bread and butter, cold soups, and cold tea or coffee, with 
occasionally a bit of meat. One evening, opposite the Fifth 
Avenue Hotel, we saw a young woman, evidently nineteen 
or twenty, playing upon a violin. She was blind, and, as it 
was a warm, bright moonlight night, her head was bare. The 
countenance had a very sad, sweet expression, and the air she 
played was a far-away dreamy romance. We never saw her 
but once. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 507 

" The poor little girls of New York do a wonderful number 
of things to get a living. They sell matches, toothpicks, 
cigars, songs, newspapers, flowers, etc. There is a good deal 
of romance published in the newspapers, about the flower- 
girls, which does not exist. The Evening Post once said they 
were as handsome as the flower-girls of Paris. If they are, 
the Paris flower-girls must be frightful little wretches. The 
flower-girls of New York cluster about St. Paul's church- 
yard and the Astor House, and can be lound scattered up 
Broadway as high as Twenty-third street. They sell mag- 
nolias, hand bouquets and button-hole bouquets for gentle- 
men's coats. They appear on the streets with the earliest 
spring violets, and only disappear with 'the last rose of 
summer.' A rainy "day is a very good one for the flowers, 
and they sell better than in fair weather. "When the skies 
are lowering, man wants something to cheer him, and so he 
takes a tuberose and a geranium leaf, and puts it in me 
button-hole of his coat. The girls buy their flowers of the 
gardeners out in the suburbs of the city, and then manufac- 
ture their own bouquets. 

" Some of the little girls who patter upon the street make a 
tolerably good living, if they are industrious and stick to 
their business. Oranges and sponges sell well, and often 
from two to four dollars' worth are disposed of between the 
rising and the setting of the sun. Pattering is only profit 
able during business hours, which, in New York, do not com- 
mence much before 9 o'clock, and close by 5 p. m. So the 
patterer is a gentleman with the rest of them, and shuts up 
shop at the same time A. T. Stewart and H. B. Claflin do 
their marble and sandstone palaces. There are exceptions to 
this rule, as there are to all rules. Those who patter at the 
Battery, and in the vicinity of South Ferry, where a constant 



508 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

stream of people is passing back and forth far into the night, 
stick by their stands as long as there is any one upon the 
street. At midnight, when the thunder of the streets is 
hushed, and the moon is rolling beneath a dark cloud, the 
heads of old men and women can be seen nid, nid, nodding, 
from Bowling Green to the Battery wall. Where they go to 
when they close up their stalls and crawl away in the dark- 
ness, it is impossible to say. 

" The most interesting sights in connection with pattering 
may be seen in the vicinity of Castle Garden, and on the east 
side of City Hall Park, opposite Park Eow. At Castle 
Garden the patterers meet with a constant stream of freshly 
arrived emigrants. They have just landed in ' free Ameri- 
ca,' and the first thing which greets their eyes after they 
have left the officials, and passed the portals of the Garden, 
is a long row of patterers behind stalls filled with ginger- 
cakes, lemonade, tropical fruits, apples, etc. Many of the 
poor peasants from the interior of Europe never saw a bunch 
of red or golden bananas, they know nothing of the mys- 
teries of a pineapple, and are unacquainted with cocoa-nuts. 
They look with no little astonishment upon these products 
of the soil, but hesitate to purchase them. They are shy of 
the new-fangled American drinks, but being very thirsty, oc- 
casionally indulge in a glass of lemonade. How their eyes 
sparkle as the delicious nectar runs down their throats. Such 
wasser is unknown to the springs of Germany. Bread, cakes 
and apples are readily bought by them, but as they deal in 
hard cash, and talk German, and as the old woman they are 
trading with speaks Irish-English, and has nothing but scrip, 
it takes some little time to conclude a bargain. A great deal 
of talking is done on the fingers, and the emigrant goes away 
satisfied, nay, pleased, at the great amount of something to 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 509 

eat he is able to buy in America with a small lot of silver. 
Besides this, the old woman behind the stall gives him a va- 
riety of paper money, curiously printed. He looks at it, 
then doubles it up, and puts it carefully away. 

" The men patterers are a much larger class in New York 
than the women. They are engaged in all imaginable occu- 
pations and dog your steps at every corner. Some of these 
men are middle-aged, able-bodied fellows, quite strong and 
healthy enough to be clearing up land in the West or laying 
bricks at five dollars a day. For some unaccountable reason 
they prefer to remain in New York, living from hand to 
mouth, and doing nothing to improve themselves, mentally, 
worldly, or financially. We have one of these in mind now. 
Sitting on the west side of Broadway, not far from White 
street, a young man of about thirty-two or three, healthy, 
stout, and quite intelligent looking, employs his time in tend- 
ing a small stand, upon which a few gum-drops and choco- 
lates are displayed for sale. Here is enterprise and ambition 
for you. We have passed his stand several times a day for 
the last year, and we never saw him selling anything to a 
man. They are ashamed of his presence on the street in such 
an occupation. A girl, or a poor woman, would get some 
sympathy, but for an able-bodied man in America, none ! 
The fellow has a wife, and sometimes she takes place. There 
is a sad, disconsolate look upon her face, and well theie may 
be, since she is united to such a lazy dolt of a husband. 

"It has been noticed that dwarfs and deformed people often 
resort to pattering. Like Gloster, in King Richard III., they are 

' curtailed thus of fair proportion, 

Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, 
Deform'd, unfinished, sent before their time 
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up, 
And that so lamely and unfashionable, 
That dogs bark at them.' 



510 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

" Through these misfortunes they hope to tell upon the 
feelings of the public, and thereby secure a larger share of 
patronage. One of these ' unfashionable ' human beings 
stands on Broadway, with a bunch of carpet dusters in his 
hand — leather thongs fastened to a handle. Another poor 
fellow in front of the Times office has no arms, and therefore 
supports himself by whittling kindling-wood for the benefit 
of the public. A dwarf on the sidewalk, not far from the St. 
Nicholas Hotel, has an immense head, with ugly and snub- 
bish features, a short body, and ungainly limbs. He peddles 
apples. 

"The other men and boy patterers of New York sell cigars, 
whips, neckties, sleeve-buttons, dogs, young bears, watch- 
chains, resurrection plants, sponge-cakes, and all the articles 
sold by women. A man does a thriving business at the foot 
of one of the large marble columns of the Sub-Treasury on 
Wall street. He keeps fresh home-made sponge cakes, which 
sell for five or ten cents each. One of these is enough for a 
man's lunch. 

" The dog and bear men lurk in the vicinity of the Astor 
House. They always have a basket in which they carry their 
animals, and during business hours spend the most of their 
time scratching their backs with a comb. Tke.°e men seem 
to be a little unsound in the upper regions. They wear long 
hair, loose fitting clothes, broad-brimmed hats, and are per- 
fectly happy whether they sell a dog or not. No one has 
yet been seen offering cats for sale. Maps, pictures, and 
songs are frequently indulged in by the street patterers. 
Most of them are horrible prints, highly colored, representing 
favorite priests, the Presidents, naval conflicts, battles, and 
fires. The maps have the Irish harp in one corner and the 
United States flag in the other. The favorite maps are those 
of Ireland and New York City. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 511 

" Since the police have banished the banner-men from the 
side-walks, the various trades have taken to representing 
themselves in odd costumes on the backs of ambitious pat- 
terers. Just now walking awnings, barber's poles, whale- 
bones, etc., are the rage. Like everything else in a city, this 
will be tolerated until it becomes a nuisance, when the police 
will take them off to the station-house and they will be 
among the things that were. 

"The patterers of New York could well be dispensed with. 
Most of them deserve none of our sympathy, and should be 
taken in charge by the government, and set to work at some 
useful occupation. This would clear the streets of a great 
many disgusting sights, and give the town an air of thrift 
and respectability, which it is not likely to have as long as 
such a horde of spendthrifts hang about all the corners." 



CHAPTEB LXXI. 

LOTTERIES. 

The New York correspondent of a provincial journal, 
recently published the following excellent sketch of the 
lottery business as practiced in this city. 

" Few persons realize to what an extent American lotteries 
are patronized in this city, and in a great many other cities 
of the country. A lottery business has been built up within 
a few years, secret and silent from general public inspection, 
which draws thousands of dollars yearly from the pockets of 
credulous fools, into the coffers of the designing men who 
manage these traps for the fortune-seekers. New York is 
the general headquarters for these Southern lotteries, though 
they are not drawn here ; and in this sketch we will take a 
look at them. 

" The regular authorized American lotteries are the ' Ken- 
tucky' and 'Missouri.' There are several other branches 
of these concerns — two or three off-shoots growing out of 
a feud between the managers of the old Kentucky lottery, 
last winter, but as the side-establishments are not recognized 
as legitimate, either by patrons or the lottery board, I will 
pass them by in silence. 

" The two lotteries above named are drawn daily at noon 
and night. The ' Kentucky ' is drawn at Covington and the 
'Missouri' at Lexington. The drawings are made in 
public. Immediately after the numbers are taken from the 
wheel, the telegraph sends them over the country to the 
512 



TUE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 513 

various lottery offices, those for the East coming to the 
general headquarters in this city, where they are forwarded 
to every lottery dealer in New England and the Middle 
States. 

" The lottery schemes are what is known as the ternary 
combination of seventy-eight numbers, being one to seventy 
eight, inclusive ; or, in other words, ' three number ' schemes 
The numbers vary with the day. To-day seventy-eight 
numbers may be placed in the wheel and fourteen of them 
drawn out. Any ticket having on it three of the drawn 
numbers takes a prize, ranging from fifty thousand dollars to 
three hundred dollars, as the scheme may indicate for the 
day. Tickets with two of the drawn numbers on them pay 
an advance of about a hundred per cent, of their cost. 
Tickets with only one of the drawn numbers on them get 
back first cost. On another day only seventy-five numbers 
will be put in the wheel, and only twelve or thirteen drawn 
out. And so it goes. 

Ll The owners or managers of these concerns are prominent 
sporting men and gamblers of New York and elsewhere. 
Considerable capital is invested. It is said that it takes 
nearly two million dollars to work this business, and that the 
profits average five hundred thousand dollars or more a year. 
The ticket sellers get a commission of twelve per cent, on all 
sales. The tickets are issued to them in lots, one set of com- 
binations going to one section of the country this week, 
another next ; and all tickets unsold up to the hour for the 
drawing at Covington, are sent back to headquarters. In 
this way many prizes are drawn by tickets which remain 
unsold in dealers' hands after they have reported to the 
agents ; and the lottery makes it clear. 

" Together with the sale of tickets is carried on an exten- 
32 



514 TITE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

sive game of gambling known as ' policy.' To ' policy ' is 
to bet on certain numbers coming out in the drawing, for 
either morning or evening. Thus, if I believe 4, 11, 44 
will be drawn, I stake a dollar at the lottery office, or 
any sum I see fit, up to five hundred dollars, and if all 
three of the numbers make their appearance on the drawing, 
the liberal managers will give me two hundred dollars for 
my one. You can take any three numbers of the seventy- 
eight and policy them. The three numbers taken are called 
a 'gig;' two numbers a 'saddle;' four numbers a 'horse' — 
either of which pays its own rate, which is from two to six 
hundred dollars for one ; a ' saddle,' however, only giving a 
small advance on your stake. 

" Now, perhaps you will say that is simple enough, and a 
fine chance to make money. It must be possible to strike 
three numbers often. Try it. The lottery, by its large 
advance on the amount you stake, tells a different story. A 
man might play three numbers every day for a year, and not 
have the satisfaction of seeing all three come out at one time 
on the drawing. Two will come out with a number just 
ahead or below the third ; and you will pay more money and 
try again. Why there are men who are veterans at policy- 
playing, using all their spare funds, going without every- 
thing which makes life pleasant, and yet it is rarely they 
hit the ' gig.' 

"In this city, where all kinds of gambling flourishes, from 
the Stock Exchange to a Fifth Avenue faro ' hell,' a ' sweat ' 
board in Baxter street, or greasy marked cards in a cellar 
drinking den— these American lotteries are sold in no less 
than six hundred places over and across the town. They 
are known by the dignified name of ' Exchange.' Go where 
?ou will, their signs will meet your eye. On Broadway, 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 515 

down town, there are several large lottery offices, well known, 
frequented by merchants and well-to-do business men, where 
policy is played with high stakes, where hundreds of tickets 
are sold daily. There is one near John street, on Broadway. 
The front office is a money broker's counter ; but passing 
through, you come into a long, well-furnished room, all parts 
of the day filled with policy players. Here they do a great 
business in lottery tickets. There are five clerks employed. 
Across the wall hangs a large slate, upon which the drawn 
numbers are chalked. A little sign over the ticket desk 
gives notice that ' plays will not be taken for over ten thou- 
sand dollars.' This is the great office of the city. The 
proprietor has an interest in the lotteries, besides making his 
commission as seller. 

" A good many stories are told of this ' Exchange.' A 
man came in one day and laid a dollar on the counter before 
the clerk, and said : ' Here, give me a ticket that will draw a 
prize! That dollar is all I have got; but I dreamed last 
night that I would draw something big F The clerk laughed, 
and carelessly passed him a ticket taken at random from the 
bunch. It was numbered 16, 42, 51. Did it draw the prize, 
you ask ? No, not that drawing. The man came in at night, 
read the list of drawn numbers, turned away without a word, 
and went out into the street. He had been gone but a 
moment before the report of a pistol rang out clear, sharp, 
alarming. The people in the policy office hurried to the 
door. The unfortunate man had shot himself dead ! The 
next morning what should come rolling out of the lottery 
wheel but his numbers — 16, -42, 51 — a prize of twenty thou- 
sand dollars ! Tricked by fortune, the man lay r-old and 
stark at the Morgue. 

" Another story. A boy came into the office not long 



516 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

since. ' Father wants to policy two dollars on this gig,' he 
said, giving the three numbers to a clerk. That was for the 
noon drawing. About two o'clock the father came to inspect 
the list. He cast his eye down the big slate, and found his 
' gig ' there. He had won four hundred dollars ! ' I have 
spent five thousand dollars on this accursed thing, and this is 
the first money that has come back,' he said, as the green- 
backs were placed in his hand. 'Try it again,' said the 
affable clerk, as an historical affable spider once said, 'walk 
into my parlor !' to a foolish policy-playing fly. The man 
who was five thousand less four hundred dollars out, did try 
it again. He kept trying it. He kept winning as if a good 
angel stood behind him dictating the plays. He struck two 
thousand dollars one clay. He followed it up by bagging 
thirty-two hundred soon after. The lottery folks were afraid 
.. ° him. Before two months was out the man was ' in ' to the 
time of twenty-seven thousand dollars. Every third or fourth 
play seemed to hit. Did he stop and carry his large gains 
away from the fascination of gaming ? He became intensely 
nervous, wild over his rare fortune. No day but to play. 
At last the office refused to receive plays from him. This 
excited him so much that in raving over it he fell down in a 
lit in the very ' Exchange ' where he had made his pile. He 
was taken to the City Hospital ; from there, hopelessly in- 
sane, he was taken to the mad-house, on Blackwell's Island. 
And the best part of the story is that a loving wife and 
mother, who had vainly attempted to check the husband in 
his dangerous course, received the money, and, for the first 
of several years, is enabled to live comfortably, caring for the 
hapless victim on the Island, part of the time, and devoting 
the rest to the training of a young son. 

"Some of the lottery gamblers have a regular system. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 517 

Their dreams give them numbers to play. If one dreams of 
a house on fire, a horse running away, a ship sinking at sea, 
a bald-headed man, or a monkey going up a cocoa-nut tree, 
straightway he rushes to play the numbers indicated. You 
would think they were destitute of brains, if in all other 
things they didn't show plenty of sense. When a man or 
woman gets lottery-mad, nothing is too absurd for them to 
do in getting ' numbers.' 

" The negroes of the city are great policy-players. In 
every district where they live you will find dingy little 
lottery offices, patronized mostly by them. Some of them 
make as much as forty or fifty dollars a week. A negro 
must play his policy even if bread is lacking at home. Now 
and then they make a lucky ' gig,' and win a few dollars. 
Some are born with a policy luck, I do believe. One old 
darkey woman, a kind, motherly sort of a body, who used 
to attend to the linen of the htfuse where I resided, has had 
a wonderful streak of luck in policy. Out of four or five years 
playing she has obtained money enough to set up a pretty 
cottage in Harlem, and furnish it well. She says she dreams 
her numbers ! The sale of lottery dream-books is really im- 
mense. One firm on Ann street sell several thousand a month 
of these books, wherein every possible dream is described, 
and the proper 'policy' attached to it.' 

"The poverty, the evil, the utter and abominable waste 
that results from these lotteries, cannot be realized, save by 
those who have investigated the subject. Hard working, 
sober men, good citizens, respectable and worthy in every 
other way, are bound down to this mean gambling, which al- 
ways keeps them poor, which continually keeps the wolf at 
their doors. And all for what ? That a set of rascals may 
wear fine linen, and walk Broadway with lofty airs. A man 



518 TEE SECRETS OF TEE GREAT CITY. 

who becomes infatuated in lotteries, becomes lost almost be- 
yond chance. I can count up in passing no less than six 
men who are mad on policy, who save from food, from clothes, 
from the family, money, to spend in these lottery hells. 
They never draw anything. The next time it is hoped better 
luck will come. So they have gone on for years, and are no 
nearer the prize. Strange human blindness ! They haven't 
strength enough to dash away from it all ; and drop by drop 
the very life-blood is sucked out of them. 

" If you want to see anxious faces, drop into onet)f these 
1 exchanges ' about the time the drawings come in. The 
office will be full. All clases of men are represented. There 
is the day-laborer with his tin pail, the merchant with an un- 
mistakable business air, the gambler glittering with diamonds, 
clerks with inky lingers, men of leisure, cool and vacant 
looking, and I have even seen very ministerial looking men, 
who might have been divines, or dealers in a faro bank; it 
is hard to tell one from the other in New York, where, if a 
man has a very respectable appearance, he is put down as 
belonging to one of the two professions. But there is a 
marked look of concern on all faces, ' waiting for the verdict ' 
on their plays. 

" The numbers come in from headquarters. One by one 
they are called off and chalked on the slate, so that he who 
runs may read. One man has struck something, and his'face 
lights up with joy. It is only a small amount, and instead 
of blessing his stars that he has been so fortunate, he is be- 
wailing his prudence in staking so little. Another turns 
away with a dreary sigh, for the slate tells him the same old 
story of no luck. Another has just hit it — all but one figure! 
if he had played ' seven ' instead of ' six,' what a pile he would 
have taken in ! Yes ; but the good managers knew you 



THE SECRETS OF THfi GREAT CITY. 519 

would plaj seven, and so were perfectly willing to offer you 
two hundred dollars for one. A woman crowds her way into 
the throng. Does she invest in lottery tickets or policy ? 
She has a slip of paper with numbers on, and compares them 
with the slate. Now she turns away, and there is no light 
of victory in her eyes. 

" Poor fools, waiting, hoping, longing for a prize ! The 
flaring printed poster on the wall tells of fifty thousand dol- 
lars to be drawn to-day. A fortune to be paid to the lucky 
holder of the right ticket. Of course you will all go in for 
it, lottery maniacs, as you have done many times before. 
You will lay out hard-earned money — I pity you, but no 
urging can stop you; and all the while the lottery is laugh- 
ing in contempt at you ; and the radiant managers are flash- 
ing costly diamonds in your faces, and enjoying themselves 
in splendid mansions up town, living on the fat of the land — 
airing themselves in the Park behind blood horses with fam- 
ous names — all bought with the dollars you have given them 
so freely ! AVork for more and give them ! Starve your 
family to add to the spoils! Go ragged yourselves tJ^JA they 
may dress richly ! Who knows but that you may iV.'jw that 
tempting prize in time ! " 



CHAPTER LXXII. 

GIFT ENTERPRISES. 

There are more than two thousand persons in the city of 
"New York, who make their living by conducting gift enter- 
prises. These schemes have various names, but are conducted 
substantially on the same plan. 

THE SYSTEM. 

The parties engaged in the swindle open an office in some con- 
spicuous place in the city, and announce a grand distribution 
of prizes for the benefit of some charitable association, such 
as " The Gettysburg Asylum for Invalid Soldiers and Sail- 
ors," " Southern Orphans' Aid Association," etc., etc. ; or they 
announce a grand gift concert, to take place at some public 
hall at a given time. The tickets to this concert are sold at 
prices ranging from one to five dollars, the former being the 
usual price. Directions of other cities are procured, mailing 
clerks of newspapers are paid for copies of the list of subscri- 
bers to their journals, and country newspapers are procured 
for a similar purpose. A large number of names is thus 
obtained, and a circular issued, setting forth the scheme, the list 
of prizes, and the manner of procuring tickets. There is scarce- 
ly a place in the United States to which these circulars are not 
sent. Each of the persons so addressed is requested to act 
as an agent, and is promised a prize in the distribution if he 
will use his influence to sell tickets and say nothing of the 
inducements offered to him, as such knowledge would make 
520 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 521 

others dissatisfied. The prize is said to be worth a great 
deal, and the party requested to act as agent sets to work 
promptly, and generally succeeds in getting a number of 
names and dollars, which he forwards to the managers of the 
grand concert. No concert is ever held, and no drawing 
takes place. The money is lost to the senders and pocketed 
by the swindlers who receive it. 

THE BANKERS' AND BROKERS' GIFT ENTERPRISE. 

During the winter of 1867-68, a swindler or set of swin- 
dlers opened an office in the lower part of Broadway, under 
the title of " The Bankers' and Brokers' Gift Enterprise." 
The affair was ostensibly managed by the firm of Clark, 
Webster & Co. As many thousand persons were victim- 
ized by these villains, it is possible that some of our readers 
may be able to vouch for the statements contained in the 
following extract concerning the affair, from the Missouri 
Republican, published in St. Louis. 

" For some months, certain papers, both in the East and 
West, have been displaying an enormously large advertise- 
ment, of the Bankers' and Merchants' First Grand Presenta . 
tion Enterprise, to be commenced on Thursday, October 24th, 
and continued for ' one hundred and fifty days from the date 
of commencement, at the rate of ten thousand tickets per day.' 
The scheme was a magnificent one ; every ticket holder was 
entitled to such a premium as would fully insure him against 
loss — that is, he would draw a prize equal to the money in- 
vested, minus five per cent., and would run a risk of 
winning an enormous prize, of which there were several ' on 
the bills.' 

" Of course this spread like wild-fire, the cholera, or yellow 
fever ; hundreds, who should have possessed some discretion, 



522 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

sent their dollars to Clark, Webster & Co., 62 Broadway, 
New York, expecting to realize handsome fortunes. How 
they supposed that the proprietors could ever give such pre- 
miums, we cannot say ; but certain it is they did, and hun- 
dreds and thousands have been most fearfully victimized; 
how, will be easily explained. 

" The enormous prizes were not in money ; they were 
stocks, and the like, in fancy companies, somewhere — where, 
we do not know ; where a nominal half a million would not 
be worth half a dollar. 

" But it was not in the dollar paid for the original ticket 
that the chief swindle lay. Nearly every man drew a ' prize,' 
and was at once notified, on receiving the sum of five per 
cent, of the value, it would be forwarded ; and as the nature 
of the prize was not stated, but only its nominal value in 
money, thousands of persons have, doubtless, sent the five per 
cent., and will continue to send it, and receive in exchange 
some worthless oil stock, or a similar valueless piece of paper. 

" Even in this city, where the people should read the daily 
papers, and be posted in such swindles, a large number have 
been victimized, two of whom have furnished us with their 
experiences, which we give below : 

" The first is a young man, the son of a well-known politi- 
cian in this city, but who requests us to suppress his name. 
A few days since he received the following note : 

" ' Yon are hereby notified that one of your tickets has drawn a prize 
valued at two hundred dollars. Five per cent, on this amount will be 
ten dollars. This amount of assessed per centage must, in all cases, be 
sent on receipt of this notice, with directions by what express you wish 
the prize sent. Yours, very respectfully, 

" ' CLARK, WEBSTER & CO.' 
" The young man, ' green ' as he must have been to invest 
a dollar in the swindling concern of the fictitious Clark, Web- 



TIIE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 523 

ster & Co., was yet too sharp to send the ten dollars without an 
investigation, and accordingly went to a friend, a well-known 
banker of this city, and requested him to correspond with re- 
liable parties in New York, and ascertain the responsibility 
of the parties, and, on doing so, Mr. Davis received the fol- 
lowing reply : 

<: ' Office of Gwynne & Day, No. 7 New Street, 
" ' New York, Nov. 12, 1867. 

" ' Messrs. & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio : 

™ ' Gentlemen : We have received your favor of the 9th, with enclo- 
sure as stated. 

" ' In regard to the prize drawn by , we went to Clark, 

Webster & Co., to see about it. The prize consists of two hundred 
shares in the Sand River Petroleum Company. We did not get it, as 
we do not know the market value of the stock (and probably never willb 
We enclose it to you, as we do not think it is worth ten dollars. 
" ' Yours respectfully, 

'"GWYNNE & DAY.'" 

Another correspondent tells his story as follows : 

" Cincinnati, November 15. 

"Messrs. Editors: Last summer I was foolish enough to place 
sufficient confidence in an advertisement of a " Grand Presentation En- 
terprise of Merchants and Bankers of New York," that appeared in a 
Cincinnati paper a number of times, as to invest one dollar in a ticket. 
The prizes consisted of greenbacks, diamonds, watches, sewing machines, 
etc.. to be drawn October 24. A few weeks afterward I received a 
letter in which I was requested to act as their agent in this city, for the 
sale of their tickets, promising, in consideration thereof— in case my 
ticket drew a blank — they would insure me a handsome present. But 
I did not bite this time. Two or three other circulars were sent me 
after this; one announcing the postponement of the drawing, to enable 
them to dispose of all their tickets; another postponement was an- 
nounced in September, because their ' agents had sold more tickets 
than were issued, so that now they were compelled to increase the 
number of tickets from 1,300,000 to 1,500,000.' All this was announced 
in staring capitals. 

" In the latter part of October another circular was received, announc- 
ing the commencement of a drawing on October 24th, and that it would 



524 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

take two or three months to complete it, as they could draw and register 
but 10,000 per day ; and also informing the ' lucky ' ones, that upon 
being notified that their ticket had drawn a prize, they were to remit 
immediately five per cent, of the value of the prize, if under $500, and 
ten per cent, if over $500 ; the money obtained in this way was to be 
used to meet the extra expense incurred in printing the additional 
tickets and in their distribution. 

" Soon after this I was notified my ticket had drawn a prize, valued 
at $200, and I must remit them five per cent, of this within ten days, 
or forfeit the prize. I wrote to a friend of mine in New York, to call 
at 62 Broadway, and ascertain if such a firm as Clark, Webster & Co. — 
the firm name signed to the circular — held forth there, and, if so, to 
present my ticket, and claim the prize. 

"He called, as requested, and writes me that there is no such firm 
there. The 'Merchants' and Bankers' Grand Presentation Enterprise' 
is a grand swindle, carried on by one Hill, who has been arrested a 
number of times for swindling the public in this manner, but has, so 
far, by the aid of money, freely used, managed to keep out of the Peni- 
tentiary. When my friend presented the ticket, and demanded the two 
hundred dollar prize, they offered him stock in an oil well out West, 
which (well) is all a myth. So I concluded to retain the percentage. 
and forfeit the ' prize.' In one of the circulars it is announced that a 
second ' grand distribution ' will take place this winter, and I make this 
matter public that none of your readers may be deceived. 

"ALMOST A VICTIM." 

Complaints from the victims of this infamous swindle, be- 
came so numerous, that the police authorities seized the 
premises of Clark, Webster & Co., and all their books and 
papers. These last comprised six truck loads, and contained 
printed or written directories of every city and town in the 
Union. No such persons as Clark, Webster & Co., could 
be found. A man calling himself William M. Elias, claimed 
to be the owner of the books and papers, and endeavored to 
regain possession of them by legal process. The Police 
Commissioners, knowing what use he intended to make of 
them, refused to surrender them, and gave bonds. Elias 
was arraigned before the Tombs Police Court, on a charge 







A GIFT ENTERPRISE SWINDLER SNOWBALLED BY HIS VICTIMS. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITT. 525 

of swindling, by some of his victims. The Court room was 
full of those who had suffered by the grand lottery. The 
proceedings amounted to nothing, and as the man left the 
Court room, he was followed by the excited crowd, and 
severely pelted with snow balls, until the police came to his 
assistance. 

Messrs. Eeade & Co., who profess to do business at ISTo. 6 
Clinton Hall, Astor Place, are extensive swindlers. The 
police have made rigid searches for them several times. 
They have arrested the clerks and managers, but have failed 
to discover the principals, who, doubtless, have no real 
existence. 

A CLEVER SWINDLE. , 

Many of these swindlers adopt the following system. 
They send a circular to some one in the country, notifying 
him that he has drawn a prize in their lottery. The circular 
used by one of these firms is as follows : 

" Mr. , 

Rochester, New York. 
'•Dear Sir: You are hereby notified that ticket No. 5,114, has 
drawn a gold watch, valued at two hundred dollars. Five per cent, on 
the valuation is ten dollars. The percentage must be paid or forwarded 
wilhin twelve days from the date of this notice. 

" Those receiving prizes, in the preliminary drawing, receive them 
with this understanding, that they will either buy tickets in our grand 
distribution that takes place in November, or use their influence in 
every possible way to sell tickets. Any parties receiving this notice, 
who are not willing to assist in our grand enterprise, will please return 
the ticket and notice as soon as received. 

"HALLETT, MOORE & Co., 

" Bankers and Financial Managers, 

"575 Broadway, New York." 
" By Order of the 

" New York Jewellers' Co-operative Union. 
" N. B.— No prizes will be shipped until the percentage is received. 



526 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

We shall be ready in fifteen days to fill orders for tickets in the grand 
distribution of five millions of dollars' worth of goods, the drawing of 
■which is to take place in the building of the New York Jewellers' Co- 
operative Union, November 16, 1868. 

"By order of the BOARD OP DIRECTORS." 

The person receiving this circular well knows that he has 
purchased no ticket in the above concern, and at once sup- 
poses that he has received through mistake the notification 
intended for some other man. Still, as the parties offer to 
send him, for ten dollars, a watch worth two hundred dollars, 
he cannot resist the temptation to close with the bargain at 
once. He sends his ten dollars, and never hears of it again. 

Another plan is to notify every one who has bought a 
ticket that he has drawn a prize, and demand five per cent, 
on it. The value is always stated at two hundred dollars, 
and the amount asked is ten dollars. Strange as it may 
seem, this ruse succeeds in a majority of instances. The 
luckless ticket holders are delighted with their good fortune, 
and send the assessment at once. They never see their 
money or their prize. 

The scoundrels who carry on these enterprises feel per- 
fectly safe. They know that their victims dare not prosecute 
them, as by purchasing a ticket a man becomes a party to 
the transaction, and violates the laws of the State of New 
York. No one cares to avow himself a party to any such 
transaction, and consequently the swindlers are safe from 
prosecution. 

The post-office authorities of the city state that over five 
huudred letters per day are received in this city from vari- 
ous parts of the country, addressed to the principal gift 
establishments of the city. Nearly all of these letters contain 
various sums of money. Last winter these mails were seized 
and opened, by the Post-office Department, and some of the 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 52? 

letters were found to contain as much as three hundred 
dollars. 

The profits of these swindlers are enormous. Those 
which are well conducted realize half a million of dollars in 
three or four months. Instead of resting satisfied with this 
amount, the rogues close up their business, and start a fresh 
enterprise. 

From this description the reader will see how the various 
gift enterprises, under whatever name they are presented, 
are managed, and how certain he is to lose every cent he in- 
vests in them. The description applies also to the various 
Manufacturing and Co-operative Jewelry Associations, and 
all schemes of a kindred nature. 

JEWELRY ASSOCIATIONS OR UNIONS. 

A recent publication contains the following clever de- 
scription of the way in which these associations are managed. 

" No doubt these enterprises are of the purest benevo- 
lence — at least such is the impression their projectors seek to 
convey. That everybody who wants a gold watch for a 
dollar may know how to get it, we copy the following 
extract from the advertisement — without charge, on this 
occasion : 

"'One million certificates, bearing upon their face the 
names of the articles as above enumerated, are each inclosed 
in plain envelopes, and sealed, undistinguishable one from 
another, mixed and placed in a repository, without choice, 
and they are drawn as ordered. The sealed envelopes, con- 
taining certificates marked with the name of the article, de- 
scription, and marked price it entitles the holder to, will be 
sent by mail to any address at twenty-five cents.each ; on re- 
ceipt of the certificates, the purchaser ascertains the exact 



528 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

article he is entitled to, which he can obtain upon the return 
of the certificate and one dollar to the office of the Associa- 
tion.' 

"Not wishing, however, to encourage too sanguine hopes, 
we would add an account of the success of an experiment 
made last year by an incredulous individual, who was so 
curious as to find out how it was these people made money 
by selling gold watches for a dollar. He spent a hundred 
dollars for the ' certificates '■ above referred to, and found 
himself the lucky possessor of a lot of paper tickets pur- 
porting to represent property to the value of two thousand 
one hundred and fifty-three dollars, and this property he was 
entitled to receive on the further payment of four hundred 
and fifty-eight dollars. Not wishing, however, to impoverish 
these rashly-benevolent Samaritans, and reflecting, perhaps, 
that he had already spent one hundred dollars, for which he 
Lad as yet received nothing but 'certificates,' he selected a 
hundred of those that promised the most valuable articles, 
and sent them for redemption — paying another one hundred 
dollars for the articles. He received a lot of watches, jewelry, 
gold pens, etc., of which the nominal value was five hundred 
and ninety- nine dollars. 

" Very good investment of two hundred dollars, was it>not ? 
But stop a minute. We said nominal value. As the articles 
were all gold and silver— at any rate, professed to be— it was 
easy to ascertain their actual value ; so they were sent to the 
United States Assay Office, melted up, and a certificate of the 
net proceeds returned. And how much does the ingenious 
reader suppose this five hundred and ninety-nine dollars of 
gold and silver proved to be worth ? Just nine dollars and 
sixty-two cents ($9.62) ! That was what our friend got for the 
two hundred dollars cash he had invested. And that is 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 529 

about what anybody will get who chooses to invest money in 
enterprises of this kind. 

" The certificate jewelry business is, in fact, under what- 
ever name carried on, nothing but a gigantic fraud, extend- 
ing far and wide over the country, and causing many innocent 
but rather green people losses they can ill afford. During 
the war, the soldiers were cheated enormously by it. Millions 
of dollars have been paid for utterly worthless stuff. 

"But it is not only in bogus jewelry that prizes are 
warranted. Gold pens are held out as an inducement. What 
village poetaster or scribbler for the weekly journal — enjoying 
a reputation among his acquaintances for ' smart writing ' — 
imagining himself a second Byron or another Sylvanus 
Cobb, Jr., but what likes to sport a gold pen with 'silver 
case ' before the admiring eyes of friends or the envious 
glances of rivals, as -the instrument with which the flow of 
melody or pathetic romance in the ' Trumpetown Blower ' 

is produced. By such the circular of the ' Gold Pen 

Co.' sent through the post-office, is warmly welcomed. A 
careful perusal, a comparison of the different styles and 
prices, and then, of course, a remittance. The pen arrives in 
a handsome velvet-lined box. A glance and the possessor is 
entranced ; he tries it, it writes smoothly, and forthwith it 
is cleaned, placed in the pocket and carelessly shown ty 
' accident ' to friends. Another trial — alas ! the ink sticks ; 
the pen Corrodes; the gold comes off; the silver holder turrs 
black; polishing fails to produce a shine, and eventually it is 
apparent that a swindle has been perpetrated and that the 
'cheap gold pen' is, after all, but copper or brass; thousands 
of these pens" are sent in a week by express to all parts of the 
country and as many dupes made to pay fifty times their 
value to the adroit swindlers who manufacture them. 
33 



530 TIIE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

" The postmaster at "Wakeman, Huron county, Ohio, 

having heard of this Pen Co., sent for a circular, which 

was at once forwarded. Selecting a certain pen he remitted 
the money for it; in reply he received an old copper pen not 
worth three cents ; he immediately remonstrated in a second 
letter, and a third, of which no notice was taken, and the un- 
fortunate United States official was obliged to consider him- 
self swindled. This is but an instance of many." 

Remember, dear reader, there is no royal road to fortune. 
Keep your money, or invest it more sensibly, for there is not 
one single gift association in the world in which you will 
meet with anything but the vilest deceit and dishonesty. 
You will be robbed in any and all of them. 

DOLLAR STORES. 

The Dollar Stores of the land are mere humbugs. The 
articles sold are dear at the prices asked. The watches are 
worthless, the diamonds and other jewels are paste, and the 
gold is pinchbeck or Dutch metal. An article for which 
they ask one dollar is worth in reality about ten cents. On 
higher priced articles their profit is in proportion. A few 
weeks' use will show the real value of a purchase made at 
one of these places. 



CHAPTER LXXIII. 

SITUATION AGENCIES. 

Those employment agencies whose advertisements may 
be daily seen in our city papers, are well exposed in the fol- 
lowing experience of a young man in want of a situation. 

" I have no trade or profession. My parents were well off 
in the world, and, without thinking that their riches might 
take to themselves wings and fly away, they considered it 
of no importance that I should become master of anything 
but the graces of society. But misfortune did come and left 
them without a dollar in the world, although neither of them 
lived long to contend with poverty. I found myself illy 
adapted to anything, and was, as you may well suppose, at a 
loss which way to turn. 

"I applied to one or two acquaintances, but they could 
make no use of a man who knew nothing at all of the ways 
of trade, or of the arts and sciences ; and so I was treated to 
not a few very gloomy forebodings. "While glancing over 
the columns of a daily newspaper, my eye rested on the fol- 
lowing advertisement. 

"'"Wanted, clerks, copyists, collectors, timekeepers, watchmen, pot- 
ters, bartenders, coachmen, grooms, two valets to travel. Immediate 
employment.' 

" It was such a spontaneous affair ; so general and so plia 
ble that I resolved to avail myself of some of its many 
chances. So I entered the 'office' with great expectations. 

u I am a good penman and at once resolved to take up the 

531 



532 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

situation as copyist, and using that as a foundation for some 
future superstructure, to do my best, e.arly and late. I 
entered the room. There didn't seem to be such a rush of 
applicants there as I had anticipated ; in fact, the room was 
entirely unoccupied, save by a flashy youth who seemed to 
be doing his best to smoke himself out with a very bad segar. 
I mentioned my errand to him and he instantly became very 
polite. 

" The proprietor was not in just then but would probably 
be in sometime during the day. The first thing, however, 
for me to do, was to register my name and pay a fee of two 
dollars, which would entitle me to the situation I coveted. 
What was two dollars with a prospect of business before me ? 
I paid it and was .told that I had better call in the after- 
noon and see the proprietor. 

" I called again as he requested. The proprietor had been 
in, but a man whose name was down ahead of mine had taken 
the place of copyist that had kept my heart up so eagerly, 
and I should be obliged to wait until a similar situation pre- 
sented itself, when, of course, I should stand first of all, or 
take up with something else. I asked about clerkships, but 
a hasty glance at his book convinced him that everything had 
been taken up, and that I had better call tp-morrow. 

" Unwilling to lose my money without some attempt at 
securing a place, I called again the nest day, The flashy 
fellow of the day before was not there, but in his place a 
black-whiskered man, with keen black eyes, so small and re- 
tiring that you would scarcely be aware of his possessing 
such assistants until he turned them fully upon you. This 
proved to be the proprietor. To him I made known my 
wants. lie nodded, placed the book before me, and handed 
me a pen. 



THE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 533 

"I explained my transactions of the day before, but he 
said that the fee for each day encompassed only the chances 
for that day ; that if I desired to take my chances for this day 
I rnuet again favor him with my name and two dollars. This 
I refused to do, unless he would guarantee me a situation 
similar to the ones he had advertised openings for, at the 
same time expressing my disgust in warm, if not eloquent 
language. 

" But his assurances were so strong that, with his promise 
to give me a note to a man who was then desirous of a copy- 
ist, I again enriched him from my scanty stock of money. 
Taking the letter, I followed the directions upon it until I 
was led into the fourth story of a building on Nassau street. 
I found a man seated at a desk, whose voice and general 
manner was strongly like the flashy individual whom I had 
met at the ' agency ' the day before. But his whole exterior 
was changed, and as he seemed to be very busy over some 
writing, I did not have a good chance to verify my suspi- 
cions. 

" He did not wish a copyist, but his friend Brown did, and 
was willing to pay handsomely for such services. Unfortu- 
nately, however, Brown had been called out of town on some 
important business, and would not be in until the next day ; 
but if I would have the kindness to leave my address, there 
was no doubt but he would send for me there at once. I 
wrote my address, but told him that I would call myself. 

"While I was allowing him to bow me out, I made some 
inquiries relative to the responsibility of the 'agency,' and 
he gave it an unqualified recommendation, speaking in such 
high terms of Mr. Bucker, the proprietor, that I almost re- 
pented the few hard feelings I had indulged in toward him. 
If Mr. Bucker enjoyed the confidence of the leading mer- 
chants, he certainly was a man for me to trust. 



534 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

"I called the next day, and Mr. Brown was poising his 
feet upon his desk, smoking, and soothing his heart in the 
columns of a newspaper. I mentioned my name and busi- 
ness. He looked up, and in reply to my question as to 
whether or not he was Mr. Brown who desired a copyist, he 
said that he had the honor of being a Mr. Brown, but I must 
be laboring under some misapprehension, if I supposed that 
he was in want of a copyist. The Brown to whom I alluded, 
in all probability, had gone to New Jersey, and owing to 
sundry unsettled accounts he would not be likely to return so 
suddenly as he had departed. 

" I explained my position, but he disclaimed all knowledge 
of the affair, and would give me no satisfaction whatever. I 
went back to the 'agency,' but on inquiry I found that Mr. 
Bucker had sold out, and another swindler had taken up the 
business of robbing the unwary poor. 

" I made my case known to the police, but a shrug of tfce 
shoulders was all the consolation I received. Such swindlers 
do exist, they say, but owing to the artful manner in which 
they conduct their business, it is next to impossible to con- 
vict them. 

" My object in sending you this for publication is to warn 
others. I have since learned that the majority of these 
' agencies ' are established on the same principle, and that not 
one in a hundred who apply and pay their money ever re- 
ceive a situation ; that the merchants and those whom they 
profess to represent have no faith and no connection with 
them whatever." 



CHAPTER LXXIV. 

THE PATENT SAFE GAME. 

One of the most barefaced swindles ever practiced in 
New York has now almost gone out of existence. It is 
called the " patent safe game," and was much practiced during 
the late war, as many of our soldiers can testify. It was 
carried on principally in the neighborhood of the Hudson 
River Depot, and the complaints of the victims, to the police, 
were loud and numerous. The mode of operation was as 
follows : 

A stranger in the city would be accosted by a well-dressed 
individual, who would immediately begin a careless, friendly 
conversation. If the overtures of this individual are not re- 
pulsed in the first instance, he is soon joined by his accom- 
plice, who professes to be a stranger to swindler number one, 
The accomplice has in his possession a small brass ball or 
sphere, which he says is the model of a patent safe, much 
used by merchants in China and India. He is trying to 
introduce it in this country, and would like to show the 
gentleman his model. This brass ball is, to all appearance, 
solid, but to the initiated it is soon made hollow, by pressing 
on a certain inner circle, when the centre of the ball, which 
is in the shape of a small cone, drops out. The bottom of 
the cone may be unscrewed, when a little chamber is revealed, 
in which is a long piece of white paper, carefully folded and 
secreted. The other end of the cone, the top of it, can be 

535 



536 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

unscrewed, and a second . chamber is revealed, in which is a 
second piece of paper, exactly like the first. 

Swindler number one takes the ball, examines it, and 
declares that it must be solid. The accomplice then presses 
the spring, and the centre drops out. He then unscrews one 
of the chambers, and reveals the paper to the admiring 
stranger and swindler number one. The accomplice's atten- 
tion is here called away for a moment, and swindler number 
one, quietly winking at the stranger, abstracts the paper from 
the chamber, screws the lid on, and replaces the centre in 
the ball. Handing it back to* the accomplice, he whispers to 
the stranger that he is about to win some money. He then 
bets the accomplice a sum which he thinks proportioned to 
the means of the stranger, that there is no paper in the ball. 
The bet is promptly taken by the accomplice. Swindler 
number one finds that he has no money, and asks the 
stranger to lend him the amount, offering to divide the win- 
ning with him. The stranger, who has seen the paper ab- 
stracted from the ball, is sure his new-found friend will win, 
and not being averse to making a little money on the spot, 
produces the desired amount, and hands it to his friend. 
The accomplice then opens the second chamber, reveals the 
duplicate piece of paper, and claims the stakes. The stranger 
loses his money, and is taught a useful lesson. He may 
apply to the police, if he wishes to do so, but the probabilities 
are that he will never see either his " friends " of the safe, or 
his money, again. 

POCKET-BOOK DROPPING. 

This is a common occurrence in New York, and it is well 
for strangers to be on their guard against it. 

A gentleman was once standing in front of a handsome 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 537 

show window on Broadway, gazing at the wares it contained, 
when he felt himself tapped on the shoulder. Looking 
around, he saw a well-dressed man standing by him, holding 
in his hand a well-filled pocket-book. 

" Did you drop this, sir ?" asked the stranger. " I have 
just picked it up at your feet." 

"It is not mine," said the gentleman, feeling for his cwn 
wallet, and finding it safe. 

"Strange," said the man. "It was lying at your feet." 
As he spoke he opened it, and revealed several heavy rolls 
of bills. " There must be several thousand dollars here," he 
said. 

" What are you going to do with it ?" asked the gentle- 
man. 

" I don't know," said the man. " I'm a stranger in the 
city, and I am compelled to leave town in a couple of hours. 
This pocket-book will undoubtedly be advertised to-morrow, 
and as the amount it contains is heavy, the reward will be 
large. Do you stay in town to-day, sir ?" he asked, suddenly. 

"Yes," said the gentleman, "I shall be here several days." 

" Then I will turn the pocket-book over to you," said the 
man, after thinking a moment. "You can advertise it. 
Give me twenty dollars, and take the wallet." 

"What do you suppose will be the reward offered?" asked 
the gentleman. 

" Not less than fifty dollars. In that case you will make 
thirty dollars clear." 

" Why don't you keep the money ?" 

" Sir," said th« man, sharply, " do you take me for a thief?" 

" Not at all," was the reply. " I meant no offence." The 
gentleman was thoughtful for a moment, and then drew out 
his wallet. The fellow, he reasoned, was evidently an honest 



538 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

man. The owner of the wallet would certainly reimburse 
him for the amount he paid the finder, and might offer more • 
and the contents of the wallet would insure him against loss. 
He hesitated a moment longer, and then handed the man 
two ten dollar bills. The stranger gave him the pocket- 
book, and after a few words more, walked off. 

At the first opportunity, the gentleman examined the note3 
in the wallet carefully. They were all of the denomination 
of ten dollars, and amounted in all to five thousand dollars, 
but were each and every one counterfeits of the very grossest 
character. He had paid twenty dollars for a lot of worthless 
trash, and the game was now plain to him. 

This method of swindling is still very popular with the 
rogues of the city. 

THIMBLE RIGGING. 

The headquarters of this game are in the neighborhood of 
the City Hall and Printing-house Square. 

" The ' little joker ' is a very simple trick, and yet, from its 
very simplicity, all the more successful in entrapping the un- 
wary. The apparatus is (occasionally) a small stand, three 
brass thimbles and a little ball, resembling, in size and ap- 
pearance, a green pea. Often the former is dispensed with., 
and the crown of a hat or the knees used instead. The ' rig- 
ger,' in the most nonchalant manner imaginable, places the 
ball apparently under one of the thimbles, in plain view of 
the spectators, and offers to bet any sum that ' it isn't there.' 
Our friend from the country who is looking on, an interested 
spectator — is astonished at such a proposition, and looks upon 
the individual making it as little better than a fool; for 
didn't he see the ball placed under the thimble, and therefore 
must it not be there 'still? His idea on this point is soon 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 539 

confirmed — a bystander takes up the bet, the thimble is 
raised, and there sure enough is the ball — -just where he 
knew it was ! 

"Again the ball is covered, and once more the bet is 
offered. Eager to prove his sagacity, our friend produces a 
* V ' br ' X spot,' and covers the sharper's money. The thim- 
ble is raised, a moment of expectation, a single glance, and 
the ball is gone I A shout of laughter from the swindler 
and his confederates standing around, announces the fact that 
the gentleman from the rural districts has been 'sold.' 
Pocketing, not his money, but his loss, the victim walks away 
disconsolate, painfully conscious that he has been ' done,' not 
only out of his cash, but has had the wool pulled over his 
eyes in a (to him) most incomprehensible manner." 

SEWING MACHINE SWINDLES. 

The country newspapers are filled with advertisements of 
cheap sewing machines. From one to ten dollars is the price 
asked. The men who insert these advertisements are amongst 
the most unprincipled swindlers in New York. The machines 
they offer for sale are worthless. 

A lady living in a neighboring State once sent five dollars 
to one of these fellows for his machine, and received in return 
a flimsy little instrument, so small that she could put it in 
her pocket. The needle could not be used at all, and after 
turning the handle a few times the cranks and wheels became 
bent, and twisted into one confused and useless mass. The 
machine was not worth twenty-five cents. 

A fellow, some time ago, advertised a machine for fifty 
cents, and proclaimed it to the world as "the most perfect 
ever invented." It was simply a brass instrument in the 
shape of a fly, and the only use to which it could be put was 



540 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

to fasten work to a table. It was so flimsy that it did not 
last more than two or three days in this way. 

THE POCKET TIME-KEEPER. 

Almost every reader of this book has seen in some news- 
paper the advertisements of the various "Pocket Time- 
Keepers," manufactured and offered for sale in this city. 
The price is usually one dollar. The article is merely a 
pasteboard sun-dial. The purchaser can make little or no use 
of it, and is swindled out of his money. 

MOCK AUCTIONS. 

The day of moek auctions has gone by, but there are still 
one or two of these establishments lingering in the city. 
These are managed in various ways. 

At some of these establishments a lot of pencil cases, 
watches, or other goods, is offered for sale. The lot generally 
contains a dozen or a gross of articles. Bids are started by 
the "decoys" of the proprietor, who are scattered through 
the crowd, and strangers are thus induced to make offers for 
them. Each man supposes he is bidding for a single lot, and 
is greatly astonished to find the whole lot knocked down to 
him. He is told he must take the entire lot, that his bid was 
for all. Some are weak enough to comply with the demand, 
but others resist it. 

Admiral Farragut, during the war, made a bid for a pen- 
knife at one of these places, and was astonished at being told 
he must take the whole gross of the article. The old hero 
was not to be caught in this way, however, and he quietly 
called in a policeman, and gave the auctioneer in charge for 
attempting to swindle him. 

A well-known Broadway auctioneer was brought before 




A MOCK AUCTION — KICKED OUT AFTER BEING FLEECED. 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 541 

the Mayor, some time ago, on the following complaint. A 
gentleman, who appeared against the auctioneer, stated that 
he had attended his last sale. The auctioneer put up a box 
containing twelve silver pencil-cases, and the gentleman, sup- 
posing from his manner and language, that he was selling 
them fairly, bid two dollars and fifty cents for the lot. To his 
surprise, he was told that he had bid two dollars and fifty cents 
for each pencil-case, and that he must pay thirty dollars for 
the whole lot. The money had been paid and the auctioneer 
refused to return it, insisting that the gentleman should take 
one pencil-case or nothing. The Mayor compelled the scamp 
to refund the money, and warned him that he would revoke 
his license if a similar complaint were again-made against him. 

In some of these establishments, a stranger who attempts 
to remonstrate against the swindle fares badly. He is hus- 
tled out by the confederates of the proprietor, and if he 
attempts to defend himself, is handed over to the police on a 
charge of attempting to create a disturbance. 

Other establishments sell watches and cheap jewelry. A 
really good article is put up, and passed around through the 
crowd as a sample. It draws bids rapidly, and is knocked 
down to the highest bidder. It ias by this time been handed 
back to the auctioneer, and when the purchaser demands it, 
he is given some worthless article, which the dealer and his 
assistants swear was the one exhibited to the crowd. Eemon- 
strances are useless. The bogus article must be taken or 
the money lost, unless the victim calls in the police. The 
city authorities have recently stationed a policeman at the 
door of one of these establishments, to warn strangers of its 
true character. » 

A friend of the writer — a " verdant countryman," too — ■ 
once attended one of these auctions. A magnificent hunting- 



542 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

case watch was put up, and knocked down to John, as we 
shall call him, at the low price of ten dollars. As the an- 
nouncement of the sale was made, John, who had his money 
in his hand, stepped briskly to the desk. 

" Will you let me see that watch a minute ?" he asked. 

"Certainly, sir," said the auctioneer, handing him the 
watch. 

" That's a magnificent watch," said John, admiringly 
" and I think I got it pretty cheap !" 

" Yes," replied the man, " that's the cheapest watch I ever 
sold." 

" Well," said John, putting the watch in his pocket, and 
laying his ten dollars on the desk, ■' I'm very well satisfied 
with my bargain." 

The auctioneer, alarmed for the repeater, which was his 
own, exclaimed quickly, 

" We generally give a case with our watches, sir ; let us 
fit one on that." 

" No," said John, quietly, as he turned away, " I'm satis- 
fied with the watch — I don't want a case !" 

He walked leisurely away, but the auctioneer sprang after 
him. 

" That watch is not for sale," said the man, angrily. 

11 It's bought and paid for," said John, coolly, buttoning 
his coat across his breast. 

" I don't want your money, I want my watch !" shouted 
the man. 

" It was a fair sale !" said John. " Gentlemen," he ex- 
claimed, turning to the crowd, " I appeal to you. Was not 
it a fair sale ?" 

" Yes 1" " Yes 1" " Keep the watch !" cried the spectators, 
delighted that, for once, the sharper had met his match. 




HOW A COUNTRYMAN "BOUGHT A WATCH 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 543 

A policeman now approached, and John, stating the cir- 
cumstances of the case to him, placed himself under his 
protection. The officer and the crowd accompanied him to 
his hotel, which he reached in safety. He left for home the 
next morning, taking his prize with him, and to this day 
boasts that he was 
was from the country 1" 



CHAPTER LXXV. 

LOST IN THE GREAT CITY. 

In a side-room of the main hall of the Central Police 
Headquarters, on the second story,- in Mulberry street, is 
a desk at which sits an old rosy-cheeked, white-headed 
police officer, named McWaters. Mc Waters is famous in 
New York. He is the theatrical critic of the Police Depart- 
ment. His opinions on music and the drama are of weighty 
authority among members of the force, and, like most critics, 
he is dogmatic and forcible. 

But, Mc Waters is at present known to fame as being the 
officer detailed, by Inspector George Dilks, to take charge of 
a department organized in November, 1867, to supply a 
great want, and which is now in successful operation. This 
department is known as the " Bureau for the Recovery of 
Lost Persons." Officer McWaters was formerly in the City 
Hall Precinct, under Captains Thorne and Brackett, and is 
very well acquainted with the city, so his services have been 
made available in this new bureau. 

MISSING MEN AND WOMEN. 

" The manner of investigation in regard to a missing rela- 
tive or friend, is as follows : As soon as a person disappears 
from home, the nearest relative, on learning of the missing 
person, goes to police headquarters, and makes application to 
the 'Missing Bureau' for information. The age, height, 
build— whiskers, if any— color of eyes, dress, hair, the place 
544 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 545 

where last seen — the habits and disposition of the person— - 
are given to the inspectors, and officer Mc Waters makes 
proper entries on his register, which he keeps for that pur- 
pose, of all these facts. The personal description of the 
missing person is compared with the returns made by the 
Morgue every twenty-four hours to the police inspectors. 
Should the description answer to the person and clothing of 
any person found at the Morgue, word is at once sent to the 
relatives of the joyful news. Besides this, another very 
necessary precaution is taken to find the person or persons 
missing. Cards are printed, five or six hundred in number, 
and sent to all the police officers on special duty in the differ- 
ent metropolitan precincts, with instructions to the captains 
to have his men make active and energetic search for the 
person. 

THEORIES ABOUT LOST PEOPLE. 

Over seven hundred people have been reported as missing 
to police headquarters during the past twelve months. Of 
this number, a majority have been found, it is believed, as no 
record can be kept of those who are not reported when 
found, »by their relatives or friends, to headquarters. Occa- 
sionally, a person who reports some one missing, belonging 
to them, will give all the details about him — but, if found, 
will fail to notify the authorities, from a sense of shame, 
where domestic difficulties have occurred in families, or from 
laziness, or a sense of forgetfulness. Thus, all track is lost 
of those who have been found, unknown to the police, and 
accurate statistics are baffled in the matter of inquiry. 

WHERE AND HOW PEOPLE ARE LOST. 

The manner in which missing men are advertised is as 
34 



546 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

follows. A card, of which the following are fair examples, 
is circulated among the police : 

" Office of the Superintendent of 
" Metropolitan Police, 300 Mulberry Street 
" New York, January l\, 1863. 

"MISSING. — Since Thursday evening last — Mary Agnes Walsh; 
twenty-three years of age, residing at 281J Elizabeth street, five feet 
high, medium size, slim built, dark complexion, dark brown hair, dark 
eyes, had on a black alpaca dress, black plush coat (or cloak), black velvet 
hat. It is supposed she is wandering about the city in a temporary 
state of insanity, as she has just returned from the Lunatic Asylum, 
where she has been temporarily confined for the last three weeks. Any 
information of the above to be sent to her brother, Andrew Walsh, 28H 
Elizabeth street, or to Inspector Dilks, 300 Mulberry street. 

" MISSING.— Morton D. Gifford, about twenty-five years-of age, light 
hazel eyes, brown hair, full beard and moustache same color, height five 
feet six and three quarter inches, has lost the two first joints off the 
middle fingers of right hand. Had on a light brown cloth suit bound with 
black, the vest cut without a collar, a black cloth overcoat made sack 
fashion, with black velvet buttons. Was last seen on board the steamer 
City of Norfolk, running between Norfolk and Crisfield, in connection 
with the Crisfield, Wilmington, and Philadelphia Railroad, Annamesic 
line, on the 3d of February, 18G8. Had with him a black leather satchel, 
containing a full suit of black clothes, hat, linen, etc. Was a soldier in 
the Union army, and has recently been in business in Plymouth, North 
Carolina. Any person having any information regarding him wiH 
please communicate with Inspector Dilks, 300 Mulberry street, New 
York. 

" MISSING— Since Thursday, November 14— John F. McCormack ; 
when last seen he was on board the steam-tug Yankee, at the foot of 
Charlton street ; age twenty-four years, eyes and hair dark brown, 
height five feet four inches, heavy eyebrows. He was dressed in a 
brown sack coat and brown vest, black pants, flat-crowned black hat. 
Any person knowing his whereabouts, or having seen him since the 
above date, will please call at the residence of his uncle, Robert McCor- 
mack. No. 12 Talman street, Brooklyn, or on Inspector Bilks, police 
headquarters, 300 Mulberry street. November 30, 1867. 

-FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD.— Missing from Bay street, Staple- 
ton, Staten Island, since Wednesday. November '25, 18G8, Willy Hard 



THE SECRETS GF THE GREAT CITY. 517 

grove, a boy eight years of age, medium size, dark hair, dark, clear com- 
plexion, blue eyes ; has a recent scar on his cheek, made by the scratch 
of a pin; dressed in a dark striped jacket and pants; the pants button 
on the jacket with light bone buttons ; old, strong boots, no hat. He 
is rather an attractive boy and very familiar with strangers. It is 
feared he has been abducted, from the fact of his musical abilities. He 
can sing in a good tenor voice any tune he may hear once played, but 
can't speak plain. The above reward will be paid by his father, Terence 
M. Hardgrove, Stapleton, for such information as will lead to his re- 
covery. Information may be sent to Inspector Dilks, police head- 
quarters, 300 Mulberry street. 

"MISSING-. — Annie Hearn left her home on Monday last. She is 
ten years of age, dark blue eyes, black hair cut short, has a slight scat 
on her left temple. Was dressed in a dark alpaca frock, black woollen 
sontag with white border, black velvet hat, no trimming, high laced 
boots, striped stockings. Any information relative to her will be grate 
fully received by Richard Burk, 217 Madison street, or Inspector Dilks, 
300 Mulberry street. 

" LEFT HER HOME, at Hyde Park, Scranton City, Pa., on Monday 
June 14, Sarah Hannaghan, aged fifteen, tall for her age, short brown 
hair, light eyes and fair complexion. Had on a tan-colored dress, light 
cape, drab hat. trimmed with ribbon of the same color. Had with her 
a dress with a yellow stripe, made short. Information to be sent to 
Inspector Dilks, 300 Mulberry street, Near York, or to James Hanna- 
ghan. 152 Leonard street. 

"TWKNTY-FIVE DOLLARS REWARD, will be paid for infor- 
mation that will lead to the arrest or recovery of Henrietta Voss, aged 
sixteen years. She left Seacnsus, Hudson county, New Jersey, Tues- 
day, July 21, about 7 a. m. She is tall, slim built, and a little stooped; 
brown hair, blue eyes, long thin pale face. Dressed in a full suit of 
black. The gratitude of a father, who desires to save bis daughter, 
will be added to the above reward. John Voss. 

'TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS REWARD.— Missing, an insane 
man, named Frederick Liebrich, native of Germany, speaks English, 
German, and French. Supposed to lodge at night in the police station 
houses about the lower part of the city, is very stupid looking, and 
clothed in rags. Was last seen in Washington market, about the mid- 
dle of last November. He is about thirty-eight years of age, eyes and 
hair black, large regular features, and very dark complexion, about five 
feet ten inches high, stout built, straight and well made. The above 



548 THE SECRETS OF TIIE GREAT CITY. 

reward will be paid for his recovery, or direct evidence of his death; 
by Frederick Cummick, 82 Washington street, Brooklyn. Information 
to be sent to Inspector Dilks, police headquarters, 300 Mulberry 

atrefit." 

LOST CHILDREN. 

"Hundreds of 'Lost Children' bear testimony to the care- 
lessness of mothers and nurses who are more intent on other 
business, when their charges stray off to be found after- 
wards in out of the way places by stray policemen. Quite 
often a pedestrian will notice, on going along one of our 
side streets, a young child, its eyes bubbling over with 
tears, and red from irritation and inflammation, who has 
strayed from its parents' residence. Sometimes it will have 
a stick of candy in its infantile fists, or else an apple, or a 
slice of bread, butter, and molasses to console it in its wan- 
derings. It is very seldom, however, that these children do 
not find their way back to their parents, unless that there is 
foul play, as in such instances where a child may be kidnapped 
by people who are childless, or through their agency, for the 
purpose of adoption in barren families. The practice of 
baby -farming has not as yet attained, in America, the height 
that it has reached in England, and therefore the lives of 
children are not yet so endangered as they are across the 
water. It is calculated that at least one thousand children 
are missing every year in this city, but they are nearly all 
returned before the close of the day on which they are first 
missed." 

THE DENS OF MIDNIGHT. 

" If the thousand and one noisome crannies, nooks, and 
dens of this great city could be exposed to view, day after 
day, the bodies of many a missing man and woman might be 
found festering and rotting, or their bones bleaching for 
want of decent burial. Where do the bodies come from that 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 549 

are fished up, bloated and disfigured, night after night, by. the 
harbor police, in haunts of the docks and from the slime of 
the Hudson ? It is fearful to think of men influenced by 
liquor, who, with their gold watches, pocket-books, and 
other valuables exposed in the most foolish manner, are to 
be seen, night after night, in the dens and hells of this great, 
sinful city. Many of these men are from far off country vil- 
lages and happy homes, and when thrown into our streets at 
night under the flare of the gas lamps, and among crowds of 
showily dressed women, whose feet are ever downward into 
the abyss, it becomes almost impossible for them to resist the 
thousand and one meretricious temptations that are placed 
before them." 

THE HORROR OF A BREAKING DAWN. 

" Instances may be related of how men disappear and are 
never heard of to be recognized. A well-to-do person from 
Ohio, who had never visited New York before, pays a visit 
to this city, and, stopping at a down-town hotel, sallies out in 
the evening in search of what he has been taught by his 
limited course of reading to call 'adventures.' He believes, 
in his Ohio simplicity, that he will meet with a beautiful and 
rich young lady in New York who, struck with his rural 
graces and charms, will at once accept his hand and farm. 
Well, he takes a look at the ' Black Crook,' or ' White 
Fawn,' or ' Genevieve de Brabant,' and returning late to 
his down-town hotel is struck by the beauty and grace of a 
female form that glides before him on his way down town. 
Pretty soon she makes a signal to him that cannot be mis- 
taken, and our Ohio friend, rather astonished at the freedom 
of the aristocratic and well-bred ladies of the metropolis, but 
nothing loth, hastens to her side, and accompanies her to h&r 



550 THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 

richly voluptuous mansion in Bleecker, Green, Mercer, or 
Crosby streets. In the watches of the night he awakens to 
find the aristocratic lady fastened on his throat, and a male 
friend of hers, with a villainous countenance, poising a knife 
for a plunge in his neck. The work is done quickly, a 
barrel well packed, or a furniture chest, placed in a carriage 
at night, can be taken up the Hudson Eiver road and there 
dropped in the river, and after a day or so the head of 
another dead man will be found eddying and floating around 
the rolling piers near the Battery, his face a pulp, and no 
longer recognizable. The sun shines down on. the plashing 
water, but the eyes are sightless, and never another sun can 
dim their brilliancy or splendor. It is only another missing 
man without watch, pocket-book, or money on his person." ' 

MISERY, SHAME, AND DEATH. 
" Another missing instance. A beautiful maiden, born in 
a village on the Sound, where the waters of that inland sea 
beat and play around the sandy pebbles of a land-locked inlet, 
is reared in innocence and virtue until she reaches her seven- 
teenth year. . She is as lovely as the dawn, and her life, 
peaceful and happy, with no greater excitement than the 
Sunday prayer-meeting, has never been tainted by the novel 
ty of desire. At seventeen, she visits New York for the first 
eventful time in her life. She is dazzled with its theatres, ita 
balls, its Central Park, the Broadway confuses and intoxicates 
her, but opera has divine charms for her musical ear, and she 
is escorted night after night by a man with a pleasing face 
and a ready tongue. She is yet pure as the undriven snow. 
One night she takes a midnight sleigh ride on the road, and 
they stop at a fashionable-looking restaurant in Harlem Lane 
or on the road. She is persuaded to take a glass of cham- 



THE SECRETS OF THE GREAT CITY. 551 

pagne. She is finally persuaded to drink an entire bottle of 
champagne. That night the world is torn from under her 
feet. She h«s tasted of the apples of death. She returns 
to her peaceful home by the silken waves of the Sound a 
dishonored woman. To hide her shame she returns to New 
York, but her destroyer has gone — she knows not whither. 
Then the struggle begins for existence and bread. She is a 
seamstress, a dry-goods clerk, but her shame finds her out 
when an infant is born to her, unnamed. One night, hungry, 
and torn with the struggle of a lost hope, she rushes into the 
streets and seeks the river. On a lone pier she seeks refuge 
from her ' lost life.' The night-watchman, anxious about the 
cotton and rosin confided to his charge, does not hear the 
cry of ' Mother ' from a despairing girl, or the plunge into the 
gloomy, silent river below. She is not found for days after, 
and then her once fair face is gnawed threadbare with the in- 
cisors of crabs, and the once white neck, rounded as a pillar 
of glory, is a mere greenish mass of festering corruption 
She is not recognized, and thus fills the page devoted to 
missing people."* 

* New York World. 



CHAPTEB LXXVI. 

CONCLUSION. 

Our task is done. We have told, as far as we are capable 
of telling, the secrets of this great and growing city. Our 
purpose has been two-fold, 10 satisfy a reasonable curiosity 
on the part of those who never have seen, and probably never 
will see New York, and to warn those who design visiting 
the city, of the dangers and temptations which await them 
here. We warn them earnestly to confine their visits to the 
numerous harmless and innocent attractions of the Metropolis, 
and to shun those other, darker quarters of the city, which 
are but so many gateways to the paths that lead down to 
ruin and death. 
552 



THE 

BLUE-COATS, 

And How they Lived, Fought and Died for the Union, 

WITH SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE GREAT REBELLION 

Comprising Narratives of Personal Adventure, Thrilling 
Incidents, Daring Exploits, Heroic Deeds, Wonderful 
Escapes, Life in the Camp, Field and Hospital, 
Adventures of Spies and Scouts. Together with 
the Songs, Ballads, Anecdotes, and Humor- 
ous Incidents of the War. 

EiMisM will over 100 Fine Portraits and. Engravings. 



There is a certain portion of the War that will never go into the 
regular histories, nor be embodied in romance or poetry, which is a 
very real part of it, and will, if preserved, convey to succeeding gen- 
erations a better idea of the spirit of the conflict than many dry 
reports or careful narratives of events ; and this part may be called 
the Gossip, the Fun, the Pathos of the War. This illustrates the 
character of the leaders, the humor of the soldiers, the devotion of 
women, the bravery of men, the pluck of our heroes, the romance 
and hardships of the service. 

From the beginning of the war the author has been engaged in 
collecting all the anecdotes connected with or illustrative of it, and 
has grouped and classified them under appropriate heads, and in a 
very attractive form. 

Prominent among the sparkling contents of this work, and which 
give to its four departments their peculiar attractiveness, may be 
named : — Striking Instances of loyalty to the flag, and valor in its 
defence ; Bravery on the Battle-Field and Quarter-Deck ; Examples 
of Youthful Courage in the storm of Combat ; Infantry, Artillery 
and Cavalry in line of action— the tramp and onset ; extraordinary 
fortitude under suffering ; undaunted heroism in death ; the roll of 



fame and story. Reminiscences of victory and disaster of Camp 
Picket, Spy, Scout, Bivouac and Siege, with feats of Daring, Bole 
and Brilliant Marches, Remarkable Cases of Sharp-Shooting, Hand- 
to-Hand Encounters, Startling Surprises, Ingenious Strategy, Cele- 
brated Tactics, Wonderful Escapes, Comical and Ludicrous Adven- 
tures on Land and Sea ; Wit, Drollery and Repartee, Famous Words 
and Deeds of Women, Sanitary and Hospital Scenes, Prison Expe- 
riences, Partings and Re-unions, Last Words of the Dying, with 
affecting illustrations of the home affections and mementoes of the 
tender passion ; final scenes and events in the great Drama, and all 
those momentous hours, acts and movements, the memory of which 
will live in letters of blood before the eyes, and burn like fire in the 
hearts of those who participated in them. These, sifted like gold, are 
here presented in all their attractions. Thus the rank and file, as 
well as the superior officers, both North and South, are made illus- 
trious in these pages by whatever of valor, skill or achievement per- 
sonally distinguished them. 

Amusement as well as instruction may be found in every page, as 
graphic detail, brilliant wit and authentic history are skilfully inter- 
woven in this work of literary art. 

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